homeopathy

noun

ho·​me·​op·​a·​thy ˌhō-mē-ˈä-pə-thē How to pronounce homeopathy (audio) ˌhä- How to pronounce homeopathy (audio)
: a system of alternative medicine that treats a disease especially by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in larger amounts produce symptoms in healthy persons similar to those of the disease : homeopathic medicine

Examples of homeopathy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Charles’s interest in homeopathy and alternative medicine has followed him onto the throne. William Booth, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2024 If homeopathy really worked, how would medicine change? Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2013 There is no evidence to support the use of homeopathy. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Dec. 2023 Over time, therapies that focus on the mind-body link, including homeopathy, yoga, somatic therapy, EMDR therapy, and acupuncture, seem to take the edge off. Anjali Enjeti, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023 SciAm Brasil has apologised for its dreadful homeopathy article. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2012 In response Riva removed the references to Boiron, including the pictures and captions, but kept the posts on homeopathy in general. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2011 The center has funded research on homeopathy, acupuncture, and craniosacral therapy (lightly touching the cranium to relieve putative blockages). Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling, The New Republic, 28 Feb. 2023 Additionally, some pet owners may find that incorporating calming supplements like herbs, flower essences, or homeopathy can be beneficial. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 9 Nov. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'homeopathy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Homöopathie, from homöo- homeo- + -pathie -pathy, after earlier homöopathisch homeopathic

Note: Introduced by Samuel Hahnemann, perhaps first in his Reine Arzneimittellehre, 3. Theil (Dresden, 1817), p. iii ff.

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of homeopathy was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near homeopathy

Cite this Entry

“Homeopathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeopathy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

homeopathy

noun
ho·​me·​op·​a·​thy
variants or British homoeopathy
plural homeopathies or British homoeopathies
: a system of alternative medicine that treats a disease especially by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in larger amounts produce symptoms in healthy persons similar to those of the disease : homeopathic medicine

More from Merriam-Webster on homeopathy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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