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

medicinal noun

medicinally

mə-ˈdis-nə-lē 

-ˈdi-sᵊn-ə-lē;

adverb

Synonyms

• healing
• restorative
• remedial
• therapeutic
• healthful
• curative

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

The few companies that received medicinal licenses were left with fragments of the legal whiskey that remained, and the individuals allowed to distribute had plenty of new protocols to follow. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025

And yet another features Renaissance-era glazed earthenware medicinal jars, perfume bottles, vacuums and other 20th century home appliances which illustrate design’s impact on our daily hygiene practices and wellness. —Constance Droganes, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2025

Garlic honey can be made at home and has potential culinary and medicinal uses. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2025

At the top, nestled among medicinal plants and fruit trees, sits a yellow house with white latticework and a porch that opens to a view of the hills. —Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

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