prescription

noun

pre·scrip·tion | \ pri-ˈskrip-shən

Definition of prescription

1a : the establishment of a claim of title to something under common law usually by use and enjoyment for a period fixed by statute

b : the right or title acquired under common law by such possession

2 : the process of making claim to something by long use and enjoyment

3 : the action of laying down authoritative rules or directions

4a : a written direction for a therapeutic or corrective agent specifically : one for the preparation and use of a medicine

b : a prescribed medicine

c : something (such as a recommendation) resembling a doctor's prescription prescriptions for economic recovery

5a : ancient or long continued custom

b : a claim founded upon ancient custom or long continued use

6 : something prescribed as a rule

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Examples of prescription in a Sentence

The drug is only sold with a prescription. I have to pick up my prescription.

Recent Examples on the Web

The number of overdose deaths involving prescription opioids fell from 195 in 2017 to 134 last year. — Ryan Faircloth, Twin Cities, "Minnesota opioid deaths decreased in 2018. Has state turned the corner in drug battle?," 9 July 2019 Much the way pain-pill addicts switched to heroin after the crackdown on prescription opioids, nicotine addicts will switch to cigarettes if safer alternatives aren’t available. — James P. Sutton, National Review, "San Francisco’s Vaping Ban Threatens to Push Teens Back Toward Cigarettes," 4 July 2019 The drug of the moment in Portland has evolved many times since the Me Decade, from cocaine to heroin to meth to prescription opioids. — oregonlive.com, "Sex, drugs and police corruption in Portland: How the wild 1970s paved the way to the city’s future," 1 July 2019 From 1999 to 2017, nearly 218,000 people in the U.S. died from overdoses related to prescription opioids, the CDC said. — Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, "Colorado expands opioid lawsuit, adding Purdue Pharma’s Sackler family," 1 July 2019 Nearly 218,000 people died in the U.S. from overdoses related to prescription opioids between 1999 and 2017, according to federal data. — Jared S. Hopkins, WSJ, "At Purdue Pharma, Business Slumps as Opioid Lawsuits Mount," 30 June 2019 The eventual release of the evidence reinforced the widely held view that OxyContin was a catalyst for the epidemic, which by then had expanded beyond prescription opioids to include illicit drugs such as heroin. — NBC News, "How judges added to the grim toll of opioids," 25 June 2019 The rise in deaths from prescription opioids stabilized around 2010, the point where the original study ran out of data, and has been roughly flat since. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Medical marijuana vs. opioid abuse: New study questions the connection," 13 June 2019 Hunter says, 4,653 Oklahomans died of unintentional overdoses involving prescription opioids from 2007 to 2017. — Ellen Florian, Fortune, "J&J Called a 'Kingpin' in Opioid Case That Could Be a Test for 1,600 More Lawsuits," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prescription.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for prescription

partly from Middle English prescripcion establishment of a claim, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin praescription-, praescriptio, from Latin, act of writing at the beginning, order, limitation of subject matter, from praescribere; partly from Latin praescription-, praescriptio order

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Statistics for prescription

Last Updated

14 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for prescription

The first known use of prescription was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for prescription

prescription

noun

English Language Learners Definition of prescription

: a written message from a doctor that officially tells someone to use a medicine, therapy, etc.

: a medicine or drug that a doctor officially tells someone to use

: something that is suggested as a way to do something or to make something happen

See the full definition for prescription in the English Language Learners Dictionary

prescription

noun

pre·scrip·tion | \ pri-ˈskrip-shən

Kids Definition of prescription

1 : a written direction or order for the preparing and use of a medicine

2 : a medicine that is ordered by a doctor as a remedy

prescription

noun

pre·scrip·tion | \ pri-ˈskrip-shən

Medical Definition of prescription

1 : a written direction for the preparation, compounding, and administration of a medicine

2 : a prescribed remedy

3 : a written formula for the grinding of corrective lenses for eyeglasses

4 : a written direction for the application of physical therapy measures (as directed exercise or electrotherapy) in cases of injury or disability

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prescription

noun

pre·scrip·tion | \ pri-ˈskrip-shən

Legal Definition of prescription

1 : acquisition of an interest (as an easement) in real property that is usually less than a fee by long-term, continuous, open, and hostile use and possession as determined by the law of a jurisdiction gained title by prescription — see also easement by prescription at easement — compare adverse possession at possession

2 in the civil law of Louisiana

a : the running of a period of time set by law after which a right is unenforceable in Louisiana courts but may be enforced in another state forum an interruption of prescription by the prescription of ten years also : the bar to an action that results from prescription — see also peremptory exception — compare peremption

b : the creation of a right by the running of a period of time set by law especially : acquisitive prescription in this entry predial servitudes on property of the state may not be acquired by prescription — Louisiana Civil Code

— acquisitive prescription \ ə-ˈkwi-zə-tiv- \

: acquisition of ownership or other real rights in movables or immovables by continuous, uninterrupted, peaceable, public, and unequivocal possession for a period of time (as 10 years) set by law also : such possession that creates real rights acquisitive prescription is interrupted when the possessor acknowledges the right of the owner — Louisiana Civil Code

Note: The Louisiana Civil Code has set various periods of time for acquisitive prescription of movables and immovables. With the shorter periods (as 10 years for immovables or 3 years for movables) the Code also requires that the possessor possess in good faith and under just title. Acquisitive prescription does not run in favor of a person having precarious possession, because he or she possess the property on behalf of or with permission of the owner, until the possessor begins to possess the property on his or her own behalf (as after a lease terminates).

— liberative prescription

: a period of time set by law (as one year) after which legal action is barred if no steps have been taken to enforce or litigate the right delictual actions are subject to a liberative prescription of one year — Louisiana Civil Code

Note: Liberative prescription is similar to the common-law statute of limitations.

— prescription of nonuse

: the extinguishment or termination of a real right other than ownership as a result of the failure to exercise the right for a period of time (as 10 years) set by law also : the period of time

3 : something prescribed as a rule created a legal prescription against such acts

History and Etymology for prescription

partly from Middle French prescription establishment of a claim, from Late Latin praescription- praescriptio, from Latin, act of writing at the beginning, order, from praescribere to write at the beginning, dictate, order; partly from Latin praescription- praescriptio order