: an antineoplastic drug C47H51NO14 originally derived from the bark of the Pacific yew but now typically derived as a semisynthetic product of the English yew and used to treat ovarian cancer

Examples of paclitaxel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sure enough, this oral paclitaxel performed well – even better than a standard IV dose. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2024 Carboplatin in particular — in combination with the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel — has remained unchallenged as the go-to for ovarian cancer, in particular when the treatment could be curative, rather than palliative. Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 16 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Pacific yew + -litax- (perhaps from Taxus brevifolia) + -el (alteration of -ol entry 1 or -ol entry 3)

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paclitaxel was in 1992

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paclitaxel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paclitaxel. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

paclitaxel

noun
: an antineoplastic agent C47H51NO14 that was originally derived from the bark of a yew tree (Taxus brevifolia of the family Taxaceae) of the western United States and British Columbia but that is now typically derived as a semisynthetic product of the English yew (T. baccata) and is used to treat ovarian cancer which has not responded to conventional chemotherapy see taxol
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!