topical

adjective

top·​i·​cal ˈtä-pi-kəl How to pronounce topical (audio)
1
a
: referring to the topics of the day or place : of local or temporary interest
a topical novel
topical references
b
: of, relating to, or arranged by topics
set down in topical form
2
: designed for or involving local application and action (as on the body)
a topical anesthetic
a topical remedy
topically adverb

Did you know?

Like a topical medicine, a topical reference or story applies to something specific, focusing on a topic that's currently in the news. TV comedians often use topical humor, making jokes about a currently popular movie or the latest political scandal—if possible, one that just broke that same day. Topical humor has a short lifespan, though, because the news keeps changing and the new hot topics just keep coming. The medical meaning of topical stays closer to the meaning of the root, since it describes something that's put right on the place that seems to need it.

Examples of topical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Your dermatologist can guide you toward effective medications, like over-the-counter antihistamines and topical hydrocortisone, or prescription creams and possibly even biologics, if your symptoms are severe enough. Korin Miller, SELF, 20 Sep. 2023 Icy Hot Pain-Relieving Cream Icy Hot Pain-Relieving Cream is a popular topical cream that provides temporary relief for arthritic hand pain. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023 Docs will often treat them with cryotherapy or a topical prescription, Dr. Jaliman says. Daley Quinn, Women's Health, 8 Sep. 2023 Today, local, regional and topical organizations all coexist, from county-level historical commissions to African American heritage trails to programs specific to the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. John Garrison Marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023 This means the things that treat acne, like washing your face with salicylic acid cleansers and using topical retinoid creams, also treat comedones. Myranda Mondry, Allure, 7 Sep. 2023 All of this makes Latter-day Saint historian Matthew Bowman’s new book all the more timely, topical and telling. David Noyce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 Sep. 2023 The Peabody Award winner, spending three nights in Schaumburg, is known for his topical comedy, offering takes on the latest headlines. Jerald Pierce, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023 Wieser’s report touches on such topical issues as the consequences of the Hollywood strikes and the Disney-Charter Communications carriage dispute, as well as explanations for how the advertising industry should evolve over the rest of this year and beyond. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'topical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of topical was circa 1525

Dictionary Entries Near topical

Cite this Entry

“Topical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topical. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

topical

adjective
top·​i·​cal ˈtäp-i-kəl How to pronounce topical (audio)
1
: designed to be applied to or to work on a specific place or part (as of the body)
a topical medicine
2
a
: of or relating to topics
topical outline
b
: referring to the topics of the day or place
topical jokes
topically adverb

Medical Definition

topical

adjective
top·​i·​cal ˈtäp-i-kəl How to pronounce topical (audio)
: designed for or involving application to or action on the surface of a part of the body
applied a topical anesthetic to numb the skin
eyedrops used in the topical treatment of glaucoma
topically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on topical

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