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pre·scribe | \ pri-ˈskrīb 
\
\prescribed; prescribing
Definition of prescribe
1 : to lay down a rule : dictate
2
[Middle English, from Medieval Latin praescribere, from Latin, to write at the beginning] : to claim a title to something by right of prescription
3 : to write or give medical prescriptions
4 : to become by prescription invalid or unenforceable
1a : to lay down as a guide, direction, or rule of action : ordain
b : to specify with authority
2 : to designate or order the use of as a remedy
prescribed a painkiller a prescribed burn to restore natural forest conditions
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Examples of prescribe in a Sentence
This drug should not be prescribed to children.
a drug commonly prescribed to treat rashes
The doctor prescribed three months of physical therapy for my leg injury.
The law prescribes a prison sentence of at least five years for the crime.
The regulations prescribe that all employees must pass a physical examination.
We must follow the rules as prescribed by the government.
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Recent Examples on the Web Past coverage in Men’s Health and Vox has stated that the company is amassing an army of doctors to prescribe CrossFit and that Glassman is working to completely overhaul the American health care system.
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Tessa Love, Outside Online, "Greg Glassman’s Easy Health Care Fix: More CrossFit," 16 Jan. 2020 Last year, Adam Clark-Joseph, cofounder of the mail order pharmacy Valisure, ordered ranitidine syrup, prescribed to treat reflux in his infant daughter.
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Michele Cohen Marill, Wired, "The FDA Announces Two More Antacid Recalls Due to Cancer Risk," 10 Jan. 2020 The mesh sizes and shape of the net were also prescribed by the government.
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Haritha John, Quartz India, "Fish meal and fish oil industries are wiping out India’s marine resources," 8 Jan. 2020 Both crossword puzzle clues and Merriam-Webster definitions are crafted to reflect current usage, not to prescribe future usage.
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Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, "How Crosswords Came of Age in the 2010s," 31 Dec. 2019 The petition indicates Miller-Brantley also has a long history of refusing to take the medications prescribed to treat his mental health diagnosis.
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Sarah Horner, Twin Cities, "Man charged with killing girlfriend in St. Paul found incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness," 13 Dec. 2019 Working with local community organizations and health centers, the CDC is trying to provide clearer guidelines about who PrEP is for, how to prescribe it, and how to get it cheaply or free of charge.
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Sara Harrison, WIRED, "PrEP Made HIV Prevention Easier—and It’s Getting Even Simpler," 30 July 2019 Its anti-opioid program, Reset-O, was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration late last year and can now be prescribed by doctors in conjunction with other treatments.
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Kevin Roose, New York Times, "The 2019 Good Tech Awards," 30 Dec. 2019 The veterinarian may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication.
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Washington Post, "Hints From Heloise: Fireworks might make the fur fly!," 28 Dec. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prescribe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for prescribe
prescribe
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of prescribe
: to officially tell someone to use (a medicine, therapy, diet, etc.) as a remedy or treatment
: to make (something) an official rule
See the full definition for prescribe in the English Language Learners Dictionary
prescribe
verbpre·scribe | \ pri-ˈskrīb \
\prescribed; prescribing
Kids Definition of prescribe
1 : to order or direct the use of as a remedy
Did the doctor prescribe medicine?
2 : to lay down as a rule of action : order School rules prescribe daily physical activity.
prescribe
verbpre·scribe | \ pri-ˈskrīb \
\prescribed; prescribing
Medical Definition of prescribe
: to write or give medical prescriptions
: to designate or order the use of as a remedy
prescribe a drug
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prescribe
verbpre·scribe | \ pri-ˈskrīb \
\prescribed; prescribing
Legal Definition of prescribe
1 : to claim title or a right to something (as an easement) by prescription
a precarious possessor cannot prescribe against the owner
2 in the civil law of Louisiana : to become unenforceable or invalid by prescription
any party having an interest in a money judgment may have it revived before it prescribes — Louisiana Civil Code
1 : to lay down as a rule or guide : specify with authority
the times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the legislature thereof — U.S. Constitution art. I
2 in the civil law of Louisiana : to invalidate or bar the enforcement of by prescription
this claim for damages shall not be prescribed so long as the minor's right of action exists against his tutor — Louisiana Civil Code
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Time Traveler for prescribe
The first known use of prescribe was in the 15th century
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