aspirin

noun

as·​pi·​rin ˈa-sp(ə-)rən 

plural aspirin or aspirins

1

: a white crystalline derivative C₉H₈O₄ of salicylic acid used for relief of pain and fever

2

: a tablet of aspirin

Examples of aspirin in a Sentence

Aspirin is effective in controlling headaches.

Recent Examples on the Web

Participants may have also been taking aspirin because of a history of heart attack or stroke, which could have lessened Lp(a)’s clotting risk. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2026

Click To Flip Over Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin can irritate the gut and make symptoms worse. — Health Editorial Team, HEALTH, 29 Oct. 2026

Kelker-Kelly continued experiencing pain after arriving home and asked his wife to bring him an aspirin, per the report. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2026

Waters says that the new AI and machine learning capabilities within Empower—which has 500,000 users and supports the release of popular drugs ranging from aspirin to Wegovy—can reduce manual interventions by 95%. — John Kell, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from acetyl + spiraeic acid (former name of salicylic acid), from New Latin Spiraea, genus of shrubs — more at spirea

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

aspirin

noun

as·​pi·​rin ˈas-p(ə-)rən 

1

: a white drug used as a remedy for pain and fever

2

: a tablet of aspirin

Medical Definition

aspirin

noun

as·​pi·​rin ˈas-p(ə-)rən 

plural aspirin or aspirins

1

: a white crystalline derivative C₉H₈O₄ of salicylic acid used for relief of pain and fever

2

: a tablet of aspirin