medical

adjective med·i·cal \ ˈme-di-kəl \

Definition of medical

1 :of, relating to, or concerned with physicians or the practice of medicine

the medical profession

a medical journal

2 :requiring or devoted to medical treatment

a medical problem

an important advance in medical science

—

medically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See medical defined for English-language learners

See medical defined for kids

Examples of medical in a Sentence

He has a dangerous medical condition.
The report was published in a leading medical journal.
Her recovery was a medical miracle.
He opened his own medical practice.
an important advance in medical science

Recent Examples of medical from the Web

Joshua Bates, 24, was shot near West 57th Street and South Artesian Avenue and was pronounced dead at 5:04 p.m. Monday at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office, which released his identity Wednesday.

— chicago tribune staff, chicagotribune.com, "Man shot to death on Southwest Side is identified," 30 Aug. 2017
Any Republican president was bound either to pass a plan that deprived millions of Americans of their access to medical care, or else failed to achieve the stated goal of repealing Obamacare.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "‘I Alone Can Fix It’ Becomes ‘It’s Not My Fault’," 25 Aug. 2017
An online fundraiser, Blessings for Braxton on YouCaring.com, has raised $12,286 to help his family with medical and other expenses, eclipsing the goal of $10,000.

— katy moeller, idahostatesman, "Idaho boy who survived ‘horribly bad days’ after lawnmower fire still fighting," 25 Aug. 2017
Anyone with information is urged to call the medical examiner's office at 312-666-0500.

— grace wong, Daily Southtown, "Officials still seek ID of girl found dead in fire-damaged abandoned house in Markham," 24 Aug. 2017
The couple was socked with money troubles, too, owing to all of their medical expenses.

— jeff maysh, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Cop Who Became a Robber," 22 Aug. 2017
Trump has since threatened to eliminate cost-sharing subsidies for insurers picking up medical bills for low-income Obamacare customers.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Speaking in Louisville, McConnell and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin talk economic policies," 21 Aug. 2017
Jackson County medical examiner Diane Peterson, a forensic pathologist, said her office has felt the wave crashing.

— andy marso, kansascity, "Opioid overdose deaths under-reported in Missouri and Kansas, study says," 21 Aug. 2017
The center also provides counseling, medical exams, legal advocacy, community resource referrals and other social services.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "Naperville News Digest," 18 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'medical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of medical

French or Late Latin; French médical, from Late Latin medicalis, from Latin medicus physician, from mederi to remedy, heal; akin to Avestan vī-mad- healer, Greek medesthai to be mindful of — more at mete

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1646

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Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

MEDICAL Defined for English Language Learners

medical

adjective

Definition of medical for English Language Learners

: of or relating to the treatment of diseases and injuries : of or relating to medicine

MEDICAL Defined for Kids

medical

adjective med·i·cal \ ˈme-di-kəl \

Definition of medical for Students

:of or relating to the science or practice of medicine

medical care

—

medically

adverb

Medical Dictionary

medical

adjective med·i·cal \ ˈmed-i-kəl \

medical Definition of medical

1 :of, relating to, or concerned with physicians or the practice of medicine often as distinguished from surgery

2 :requiring or devoted to medical treatment

a medical emergency

—

medically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

medical

noun

medical Definition of medical

:a medical examination

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See words that rhyme with medical Spanish Central: Translation of medical Nglish: Translation of medical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of medical for Arabic speakers

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MEDICAL Defined for English Language Learners

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medically

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