clinical trial

noun

: a scientifically controlled study of the safety and effectiveness of a therapeutic agent (such as a drug or vaccine) using consenting human subjects

Examples of clinical trial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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To explore the secrets of prime numbers, investigate unimaginable shapes or elucidate other fundamental mysteries of our universe, mathematicians don’t usually need special labs and equipment or to pay participants in clinical trials. Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 18 July 2025 Since the effects were primarily in males, the study authors concluded that further clinical trials are necessary to understand response differences between the sexes.5 3. Ross Phan, Verywell Health, 18 July 2025 That has already paid off in a few cancer therapies first developed in dogs that are now in clinical trials or approved for use for people, says Amy LeBlanc, a veterinary oncologist and director of the comparative oncology program at the National Cancer Institute. Knowable Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025 In just six months, Secretary Kennedy has postponed ACIP meetings, closed research labs, delayed clinical trials, laid off more than 1,000 NIH officials, and ignored congressional inquiries on CDC leadership. Jesse Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for clinical trial

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clinical trial was in 1946

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Cite this Entry

“Clinical trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinical%20trial. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

clinical trial

noun
: a scientifically controlled study of the safety and effectiveness of a therapeutic agent (as a drug or vaccine) using consenting human subjects

More from Merriam-Webster on clinical trial

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