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.
According to a coroner’s report obtained by TMZ, Peterson reportedly had a deadly cocktail of prescription drugs in her system at the time of her death, including benzodiazepines, opiates and phenothiazines (an anti-psychotic medication). Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025 The prescription drug is approved to treat flu in ages 7 and older, and for preventive use in ages 5 and older. Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025 The Inflation Reduction Act also capped annual out-of-pocket prescription drug spending for Medicare enrollees at $2,000 this year, a limit that will rise to $2,100 in 2026. Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2025 For too many families, rising premiums, high deductibles, and increasing prescription drug prices have made healthcare feel increasingly out of reach. Jay Obernolte, Oc Register, 24 Dec. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prescription drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prescription%20drug. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.

Medical Definition

prescription drug

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

More from Merriam-Webster on prescription drug

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!