ipecac

noun

ip·​e·​cac ˈi-pi-ˌkak 

variants or less commonly ipecacuanha

ˌi-pi-ˌka-kyə-ˈwä-nə 

-nyə

1

: the dried rhizome and roots of a tropical American plant (Carapichea ipecacuanha synonym Cephaelis ipecacuanha) of the madder family used especially as a source of emetine

also : this plant

2

: an emetic and expectorant drug that contains emetine and is prepared from ipecac especially as a syrup for use in treating accidental poisoning

Examples of ipecac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Do not make your child vomit and do not use ipecac syrup unless directed by a medical professional. — Dr. Alison Tothy, Boston Herald, 17 May 2026

Do not give any substances, including syrup of ipecac, without guidance from poison control. — Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026

The vibe inside Madison Square Garden was that New York was destined for another syrup-of-ipecac defeat. — James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026

What to avoid Do not induce vomiting or give syrup of ipecac. — Stacey Colino, Parents, 20 Sep. 2023

Turns out, her mother, Patty, was just a really good liar with a bottle of ipecac syrup. — Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2020

Running, biking, sit-ups, push-ups, leg lifts, aerobics, swimming, dancing, eating only once a day, laxatives, ipecac, a finger down the throat, getting drunk in hopes of vomiting, measuring and weighing my food and myself. — Andrea Jarrell, Harper's BAZAAR, 4 Oct. 2017

Weight-loss regimens included consuming soap, chalk, pickles, digitalis, camphor tea, grapefruit (which was thought to contain fat-dissolving enzymes), potassium acetate (a diuretic), and ipecac (which induces vomiting). — Jerome Groopman, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese ipecacuanha, from Tupi ɨpekakwánʸa, from ɨpéka duck + akwánʸa penis

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ipecac

• almanac
• camelback
• cardiac
• carryback
• cluniac
• diamondback
• lumberjack
• maniac
• paperback
• piggyback
• quarterback
• saddleback

Kids Definition

ipecac

noun

ip·​e·​cac ˈip-i-ˌkak 

variants or ipecacuanha

ē-ˌpek-ə-ku̇-ˈan-yə 

1

: either of two South American creeping plants

2

: the dried roots or rhizome of an ipecac that are the source of a medicinal syrup used to cause vomiting in the treatment of accidental poisoning

also : the medicinal syrup

Medical Definition

ipecac

noun

ip·​e·​cac ˈip-i-ˌkak 

variants also ipecacuanha

ˌip-i-ˌkak-ü-ˈan-ə 

1

: the dried rhizome and roots of a tropical American plant (Carapichea ipecacuanha synonym Cephaelis ipecacuanha) of the madder family used especially as a source of emetine and cephaeline

also : this plant

2

: an emetic and expectorant preparation of ipecac

especially : ipecac syrup