pharmacology
noun
phar·ma·col·o·gy
ˌfär-mə-ˈkä-lə-jē 
1
: the science of drugs including their origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and toxicology
2
: the properties and reactions of drugs especially with relation to their therapeutic value
Examples of pharmacology in a Sentence
We don't have a complete understanding of the new drug's pharmacology yet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Each species represents a distinct organism with its own evolutionary history, ecological niche, and potential relevance to fields from biomaterials to marine pharmacology.
—
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
The origins of today’s BPC-157 buzz lie in a laboratory in post-communist Croatia, and with its leader, Predrag Sikiric, a professor of pharmacology at the University of Zagreb.
—Sara Talpos — Undark, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
The organization's new guidelines — crafted by a committee of obesity, pharmacology and public health experts — came at the request of WHO member states, the officials said.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 1 Dec. 2025
For decades, knowledge of nitazenes — also called benzimidazole opioids — was limited to those researching opioid pharmacology, but that all changed in 2019, when the drugs emerged on the illicit street drug market — first in Europe, then in the United States.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pharmacology
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Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
The origins of today’s BPC-157 buzz lie in a laboratory in post-communist Croatia, and with its leader, Predrag Sikiric, a professor of pharmacology at the University of Zagreb.
—Sara Talpos — Undark, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
The organization's new guidelines — crafted by a committee of obesity, pharmacology and public health experts — came at the request of WHO member states, the officials said.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 1 Dec. 2025
For decades, knowledge of nitazenes — also called benzimidazole opioids — was limited to those researching opioid pharmacology, but that all changed in 2019, when the drugs emerged on the illicit street drug market — first in Europe, then in the United States.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pharmacology
Cite this Entry
“Pharmacology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharmacology. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pharmacology
noun
phar·ma·col·o·gy
ˌfär-mə-ˈkäl-ə-jē
1
: the study of drugs, their composition, effects, and use in medicine
2
: the properties and reactions of drugs especially with relation to their medical value
Medical Definition
pharmacology
noun
phar·ma·col·o·gy
ˌfär-mə-ˈkäl-ə-jē
plural pharmacologies
1
: the science of drugs including their origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and toxicology
2
: the properties and reactions of drugs especially with relation to their therapeutic value
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