prescribe

verb

pre·​scribe pri-ˈskrīb 

prescribed; prescribing

intransitive verb

1

: to lay down a rule : dictate

2

[Middle English, from Medieval Latin praescribere, from Latin, to write at the beginning] : to claim a title to something by right of prescription

3

: to write or give medical prescriptions

4

: to become by prescription invalid or unenforceable

transitive verb

1

a

: to lay down as a guide, direction, or rule of action : ordain

b

: to specify with authority

2

: to designate or order the use of as a remedy

prescribed a painkiller

a prescribed burn to restore natural forest conditions

prescriber noun

Did you know?

Proscribe vs. Prescribe

Proscribe and prescribe each have a Latin-derived prefix that means "before" attached to the verb "scribe" (from scribere, meaning "to write"). Yet the two words have very distinct, often nearly opposite meanings. Why? In a way, you could say it's the law. In the 15th and 16th centuries both words had legal implications. To proscribe was to publish the name of a person who had been condemned, outlawed, or banished. To prescribe meant "to lay down a rule," including legal rules or orders.

Synonyms

• define
• lay down
• specify

Examples of prescribe in a Sentence

This drug should not be prescribed to children.

a drug commonly prescribed to treat rashes

The doctor prescribed three months of physical therapy for my leg injury.

The law prescribes a prison sentence of at least five years for the crime.

The regulations prescribe that all employees must pass a physical examination.

We must follow the rules as prescribed by the government.

Recent Examples on the Web

In France this year, a group of conservative legislators introduced a bill to ban doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and hormones, with punishments of two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 euros, or about $32,600. —Azeen Ghorayshi, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024

The odds of failure increase if the patient waits longer than prescribed to take the second dose of the medication, several medical experts said. —Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

Doctors have to strike a balance when prescribing immunosuppressive drugs: too low a dose can lead to rejection, while too much can make a patient vulnerable to infection. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024

Under a program launched Tuesday, the warehouse retailer is prescribing GLP-1 weight loss drugs through its low-cost health care partner Sesame. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024

The sudden demand for tretinoin isn’t exactly surprising to dermatologists, who’ve been prescribing it for decades. —Krissy Brady, SELF, 2 Apr. 2024

Some commercial insurers, for example, might start patients off with an older weight-loss medication before they’re allowed to get prescribed a GLP-1 drug. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024

Instead of returning to the provider who prescribed the drug, the woman must then seek care from one of the association members or show up in an emergency room where a member physician is working. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2024

Two years after overturning Roe v. Wade, the justices will consider whether to rollback FDA decisions loosening restrictions on how mifepristone can be prescribed and dispensed. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin praescribere to write at the beginning, dictate, order, from prae- + scribere to write — more at scribe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

prescribe

verb

pre·​scribe pri-ˈskrīb 

prescribed; prescribing

1

: to lay down as a rule of action

the route that was prescribed

2

: to order or direct the use of something as a remedy

the doctor prescribed an antibiotic

prescriber noun

Medical Definition

prescribe

verb

pre·​scribe pri-ˈskrīb 

prescribed; prescribing

intransitive verb

: to write or give medical prescriptions

transitive verb

: to designate or order the use of as a remedy

prescribe a drug

Legal Definition

prescribe

verb

pre·​scribe pri-ˈskrīb 

prescribed; prescribing

intransitive verb

1

: to claim title or a right to something (as an easement) by prescription

a precarious possessor cannot prescribe against the owner

2

in the civil law of Louisiana : to become unenforceable or invalid by prescription

any party having an interest in a money judgment may have it revived before it prescribes

—Louisiana Civil Code

transitive verb

1

: to lay down as a rule or guide : specify with authority

the times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the legislature thereof

—U.S. Constitution art. I

2

in the civil law of Louisiana : to invalidate or bar the enforcement of by prescription

this claim for damages shall not be prescribed so long as the minor's right of action exists against his tutor

—Louisiana Civil Code