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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Agents are even being put to use in clinical trials, carrying out tasks such as screening applications, matching candidates to trials and booking transportation to the test facility. Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 Among her biggest concerns is what happens to patients in clinical trials. Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 23 June 2025 In a 2024 clinical trial, lenacapavir had a 100 percent success rate at preventing HIV transmission with only two injections per year. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2025 The grant helped Mullins study how to make patients more likely to participate in clinical trials − a vital step in the approval of new medicines. Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 18 June 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 1 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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