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

On April 5, a 57-year-old inmate died after suffering a medical emergency inside an open housing pod at Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. — Alan Gionet, CBS News, 14 July 2026

And findings from the field this year in places like Connecticut support the CDC data on higher-than-usual ED visits for tick bites, said Molaei, a medical entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s Tick Testing Laboratory. — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

The Idaho Medical Cannabis Act initiative, which was spearheaded by the Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho, would have allowed people with certain health conditions to get access to medical cannabis treatment. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 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