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

• healing
• restorative
• remedial
• therapeutic
• healthful
• curative

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

Key Takeaways Culinary and medicinal non-psychedelic mushrooms may help fight depression by boosting serotonin, dopamine, and regulating stress pathways. —Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2025

Each dish conveys a story or celebrates an aspect of Kyoto culture, replete with heirloom vegetables from Takagamine’s medicinal plant gardens and singular plating presentations inspired by Kōetsu’s artistic community, served on tableware created by young ceramic artists from across Japan. —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

There’s also concern that medicinal plants are affected. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025

This class explores cultivating a home garden specifically designed for therapeutic and medicinal tea. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 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