medical

adjective

med·​i·​cal ˈme-di-kəl 

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

ˈme-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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 on the Web

This photograph shows a fire burning at the Dobrobut medical centre following a Russian aerial attack on Kyiv on 28 September 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

When clients or surrogates travel to California for important medical milestones, Tang and Sonnenberg are often there themselves—arranging schedules, accompanying appointments, and ensuring that days defined by medicine retain a sense of humanity. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026

China, in turn, plans to reduce tariffs on 1,619 product categories, including agricultural products, timber, seafood, dairy products, and medical equipment. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Deputies sought to deliver emergency aid until a medical team arrived and took him to a hospital. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing medical

• emergency medical technician
• major-medical
• medical cannabis
• medical center
• medical examiner
• medical facility
• medical history
• medical marijuana
• medical opinion
• medical practitioner
• medical spa

Rhymes for medical

• pedicle
• aeromedical
• biomedical
• paramedical
• nonmedical
• premedical

Kids Definition

medical

adjective

med·​i·​cal ˈmed-i-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or concerned with the science or practice of medicine

a medical education

2

: requiring, providing, or used in medical treatment

medical emergencies

a medical device

medically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

medical

1 of 2 adjective

med·​i·​cal ˈmed-i-kəl 

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

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

medical

2 of 2 noun

: a medical examination