pharmacology

noun

phar·​ma·​col·​o·​gy ˌfär-mə-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce pharmacology (audio)
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
pharmacological adjective
or less commonly pharmacologic
pharmacologically adverb
pharmacologist noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gardening with bare hands can be both a hobby, and for a developing brain, pharmacology. John La Puma, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for pharmacology

Word History

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pharmacology was in 1698

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Cite this Entry

“Pharmacology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharmacology. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

pharmacology

noun
phar·​ma·​col·​o·​gy ˌfär-mə-ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce pharmacology (audio)
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
pharmacological adjective
also pharmacologic
pharmacologically adverb

Medical Definition

pharmacology

noun
phar·​ma·​col·​o·​gy ˌfär-mə-ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce pharmacology (audio)
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
pharmacological adjective
also pharmacologic
pharmacologically adverb

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