medicinal

adjective

me·​dic·​i·​nal

mə-ˈdis-nəl, 

-ˈdi-sᵊn-əl 

in Shakespeare & Milton ˌme-di-ˈsī-nᵊl

& ˈmed-sə-nəl

1

: tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain

a medicinal compound

the plant's medicinal properties

used for medicinal purposes

2

: salutary

… a medicinal phrase that he would repeat … in all moments of adversity …

—W. B. Yeats

medicinal noun

medicinally

mə-ˈdis-nə-lē 

-ˈdi-sᵊn-ə-lē;

adverb

Synonyms of medicinal

• drug
• medicine
• medication
• remedy
• cure

Examples of medicinal in a Sentence

This drug is to be used only for medicinal purposes.

even in Roman times the hot mineral springs of Bath, England, were believed to possess medicinal properties

Recent Examples on the Web

Rhinos are targeted by poachers who kill them because of the high demand for rhino horn products for medicinal and other uses in parts of Asia. —ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026

According to the team, these experiments support the efficacy of Indigenous medicinal practices, and also reinforce the possibility that Neanderthals used birch tar to treat their own wounds. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Mar. 2026

Adventurous diners can also try the restaurant’s infamous snake and scorpion shots, which feature tequila infused with one (or both) of the venomous creatures—don't worry, they're said to carry folkloric medicinal properties. —Latifah Al Hazza, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

In a small, domed stone or clay structure, heated volcanic rocks, medicinal herbs, and water create steam, which is believed to cleanse toxins, improve circulation, and provide a spiritual connection to nature. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing medicinal

• medicinal leech

Rhymes for medicinal

• officinal

Kids Definition

medicinal

adjective

me·​dic·​i·​nal mə-ˈdis-nəl 

-ᵊn-əl

: tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain

medicinally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

medicinal

1 of 2 adjective

me·​dic·​i·​nal mə-ˈdis-nəl, -ᵊn-əl 

: of, relating to, or being medicine : tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain

medicinally

-ē 

adverb

medicinal

2 of 2 noun

: a medicinal substance : medicine