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

Best Amazon Prime Gardening Gifts Whether your friend or family member is a gardening guru, an indoor plant parent, or both, gardener-friendly gifts like this 50%-off raised garden bed or this variety pack of medicinal and tea herb seeds will go over swimmingly. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Dec. 2025

The passenger had brought the bark for medicinal purposes, customs officials said, and the items were found during a routine inspection. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

One of those is 1920 Prohibition Style Whisky, a callback to the fact that Old Forester was granted a license to produce medicinal whiskey during the Noble Experiment when many other distilleries were forced to close. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2025

Garlic Garlic is a superfood that's been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, mainly due to its natural immune-supporting properties. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 8 Dec. 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