prescription drug

noun

: 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.
The latest probes expand the list of items that could be exposed to higher tariffs to include personal protective equipment such as surgical masks, N95 respirators, gloves and other medical consumables, including syringes, needles and prescription drugs. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025 The president also said health officials will advocate using the prescription drug leucovorin, also known as folinic acid, as a possible treatment for those with autism. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 2025 Pharmaceuticals including prescription drugs, as well as drones, are part of separate 232 probes. Reuters 12 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025 But are prescription drugs driving that increase? Paula Span, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 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 3 Oct. 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!