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

Like in Japan, public bathing has long been revered in South Korea, with evidence of saunas used for medicinal purposes dating back to the 15th century. —Anna Haines, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025

Rose water, made by distilling rose petals, is used for its fragrance, skin benefits, medicinal purposes, and potential calming effects. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 7 Apr. 2025

Marijuana: Contains more than 0.3% THC and is used for both medicinal and recreational purposes, with effects that can range from relaxation to euphoria. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025

Medicinal Mushrooms From coffee to candies, there is no shortage of medicinal mushroom products on the market. —Marley Hall, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing medicinal

• medicinal leech

Rhymes for medicinal

• officinal

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