prescription drug

noun

Synonyms of prescription drugnext
: a drug that can be obtained only by means of a physician's prescription

Examples of prescription drug in a Sentence

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.
During the hearing, Hamdan admitted to creating and operating a scheme to submit false and fraudulent claims for prescription drugs. Paula Wethington, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026 The estimate reflects how much retirees may need to have saved to cover premiums, out-of-pocket costs and prescription drug spending over the course of retirement, costs that tend to rise as people age and need more care. Mike Winters, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026 The $10 million was part of a $67 million state settlement with the Medicaid contractor Centene over allegations of overbilling for prescription drugs. Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 The circumstances of his arrest bear similarities to his May 2017 arrest, after which prescription drugs were found in his system – including hydrocodone. Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prescription drug

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prescription drug was in 1872

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Cite this Entry

“Prescription drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prescription%20drug. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

Medical Definition

prescription drug

noun
: a drug that can be obtained only by means of a physician's prescription

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