Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

pharmacokinetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction phar·ma·co·ki·net·ics \ ˌfär-mə-kō-kə-ˈne-tiks , -kō-kī- \

Definition of pharmacokinetics

1 : the study of the bodily absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs
2 : the characteristic interactions of a drug and the body in terms of its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
—

pharmacokinetic

play \ˌfär-mə-kō-kə-ˈne-tik, -kō-kī-\ adjective

First Known Use of pharmacokinetics

1959

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

pharmacokinetics

noun plural but singular in construction phar·ma·co·ki·net·ics \ -kō-kə-ˈnet-iks, -kō-kī- \

medical Definition of pharmacokinetics

1 : the study of the bodily absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs
2 : the characteristic interactions of a drug and the body in terms of its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
  • evaluated the pharmacokinetics of a single theophylline dose
  • —Journal of the American Medical Association
—

pharmacokinetic

play \-ik\ adjective

Learn More about pharmacokinetics

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pharmacokinetics

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pharmacokinetics? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

balmy

play

soothing, mild, or foolish

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

pharmacokinetics

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games