medicine

noun

med·​i·​cine ˈme-di-sən How to pronounce medicine (audio)
British usually
ˈmed-sən How to pronounce medicine (audio)
1
a
: a substance or preparation used in treating disease
cough medicine
b
: something that affects well-being
he's bad medicineZane Grey
2
a
: the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease
She's interested in a career in medicine.
b
: the branch of medicine concerned with the nonsurgical treatment of disease
3
: a substance (such as a drug or potion) used to treat something other than disease
4
: an object held in traditional American Indian belief to give control over natural or magical forces
also : magical power or a magical rite
medicine transitive verb

Example Sentences

He forgot to take his medicine. Did you look in the medicine cabinet for a pain reliever? Their research has led to many important advances in modern medicine. She's interested in a career in medicine.
Recent Examples on the Web The rights were then sold to Eli Lilly and Co. so that the company could mass-produce the medicine. Charlotte Kilpatrick, The New Republic, 3 Mar. 2023 But in recent decades, as producers have made improvements to the medicine and generated new patents, companies have raised prices. Julian Mark, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Mar. 2023 Read full article The FDA has had the medicine on its shortage list since last fall. Christopher Rowland, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Mar. 2023 The court has given them until March 23 to appeal to a higher court. WHO DEMANDS ACTION FOLLOWING COUGH SYRUP DEATHS The two were also fined $1,209 each for exporting the medicine, Ranitidine Tablets B.P (Mantek-150), to Vietnam. Fox News, 1 Mar. 2023 After Edwards repeatedly asks for her inhaler, someone eventually finds the medicine and gives her the inhaler. Liz Kellar, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2023 As our Secretary of Health and Human Services proudly shares, food is medicine. Dallas News, 1 Mar. 2023 But in recent decades, as producers have made improvements to the medicine and generated new patents, companies have raised prices. Julian Mark, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2023 There are some techniques for keeping the medicine on the affected areas that your dermatologist can tell you about. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 24 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'medicine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin medicina, from feminine of medicinus of a physician, from medicus

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of medicine was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near medicine

Cite this Entry

“Medicine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medicine. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

medicine

noun
med·​i·​cine ˈmed-ə-sən How to pronounce medicine (audio)
1
: a substance or preparation used in treating disease
2
: the science or art that deals with the prevention, cure, or easing of disease
especially : the practice of the physician as it differs from that of the surgeon
3
: an object, power, or ceremony held to give control over natural or magical forces

Medical Definition

medicine

noun
med·​i·​cine
ˈmed-ə-sən, British usually ˈmed-sən
1
: a substance or preparation used in treating disease
2
a
: the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease
b
: the branch of medicine concerned with the nonsurgical treatment of disease

More from Merriam-Webster on medicine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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