medicine
noun
med·i·cine
ˈme-di-sən 
British usually
ˈmed-sən
1
a
: a substance or preparation used in treating disease
cough medicine
b
: something that affects well-being
he's bad medicine—
Zane Grey
Zane Grey2
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
Synonyms
Examples of medicine in a Sentence
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
This action has stopped starving children from receiving food and medicine, many of whom will die as a direct result.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
There is a very strict window of time in which this medicine can be given — three hours from the onset of symptoms, although there can be exceptions under specific circumstances.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
No other blood medicine is so certain in its results as Ayers’s Sarsaparilla.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Amgen: Cramer praised the pharmaceutical giant’s drug portfolio, including its cholesterol medicine and cancer treatments.
—Julie Coleman, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for medicine 
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Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
There is a very strict window of time in which this medicine can be given — three hours from the onset of symptoms, although there can be exceptions under specific circumstances.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
No other blood medicine is so certain in its results as Ayers’s Sarsaparilla.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Amgen: Cramer praised the pharmaceutical giant’s drug portfolio, including its cholesterol medicine and cancer treatments.
—Julie Coleman, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for medicine
Articles Related to medicine
Dictionary Entries Near medicine
Cite this Entry
“Medicine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medicine. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
medicine
noun
med·i·cine
ˈmed-ə-sən
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
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