medicinal

adjective

me·​dic·​i·​nal

mə-ˈdis-nəl,

-ˈdi-sᵊn-əl 

 in Shakespeare & Milton  ˌme-di-ˈsī-nᵊl,

 &  ˈmed-sə-nəl

1

: tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain

a medicinal compound

the plant's medicinal properties

used for medicinal purposes

2

: salutary

medicinal noun

medicinally

mə-ˈdis-nə-lē 

-ˈdi-sᵊn-ə-lē;

adverb

Synonyms

• cure
• drug
• medicament
• medication
• medicine
• pharmaceutical
• physic
• remedy
• specific

Examples of medicinal in a Sentence

This drug is to be used only for medicinal purposes.

even in Roman times the hot mineral springs of Bath, England, were believed to possess medicinal properties

Recent Examples on the Web

In bars from Hong Kong to Vancouver, the medicinal tang of bitter melon is making its way onto drinks menus. —Gisela Williams, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb that is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

When to use it The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recognized the use of milk thistle seeds and its derivatives in traditional herbal medicinal products to alleviate the symptoms associated with digestive disorders, while also supporting liver function. —Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2024

In California, both medicinal and recreational users will have to pay a 15 percent excise tax on retail sales under Proposition 64. —Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024

Experts like Paul Stamets unpack the environmental and medicinal properties of fungi, but the trippiest aspect of the film is its use of gorgeous time-lapses. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2024

From cultivating your own collection to preserving their essence for both medicinal and home use, here’s how to celebrate the herbaceous arrival of spring. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024

Silybum marianum is the scientific name for the medicinal plant whose seeds have long been used to treat liver disorders and aid digestion. —Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2024

Paciência Organic produces soap and oil from medicinal plants, resuscitating the traditions of natural healing prevalent before centuries of Catholicism and decades of communism stamped them out. —Catherine Fairweather, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing medicinal

• medicinal leech

Kids Definition

medicinal

adjective

me·​dic·​i·​nal mə-ˈdis-nəl 

-ᵊn-əl

: tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain

medicinally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

medicinal

1 of 2 adjective

me·​dic·​i·​nal mə-ˈdis-nəl, -ᵊn-əl 

: of, relating to, or being medicine : tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain

medicinally

-ē 

adverb

medicinal

2 of 2 noun

: a medicinal substance : medicine