aspirin

noun

as·​pi·​rin ˈa-sp(ə-)rən 

plural aspirin or aspirins

1

: a white crystalline derivative C₉H₈O₄ of salicylic acid used for relief of pain and fever

2

: a tablet of aspirin

Examples of aspirin in a Sentence

Aspirin is effective in controlling headaches.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some studies show that caffeine can modestly increase how fast blood thinners like aspirin are absorbed and how much is available to the body, making the bleeding side effect more pronounced.6 2. —Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 30 Dec. 2024

With the development of quantum computing, the headache of almost all IT systems using encryption (i.e. almost all online systems) would become debilitating, so the startups who develop an effective aspirin would likely become some of the most valuable businesses in 2025. —Abdo Riani, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

Consuming just one alcoholic drink a day with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil, Aleve or aspirin can increase your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding by 37%, according to the NIAAA. —Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024

These blood clots would benefit from the patient taking aspirin. —Mill Etienne, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from acetyl + spiraeic acid (former name of salicylic acid), from New Latin Spiraea, genus of shrubs — more at spirea

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

aspirin

noun

as·​pi·​rin ˈas-p(ə-)rən 

1

: a white drug used as a remedy for pain and fever

2

: a tablet of aspirin

Medical Definition

aspirin

noun

as·​pi·​rin ˈas-p(ə-)rən 

plural aspirin or aspirins

1

: a white crystalline derivative C₉H₈O₄ of salicylic acid used for relief of pain and fever

2

: a tablet of aspirin