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

Cryer started her company in 2017 to promote natural healing over pharmaceuticals, and got a certification in medicinal plants from Cornell University. —Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

This typically occurs when using ACV for medicinal purposes. —Ashley Wong, Health, 11 Feb. 2025

Unlike the overly sweet, medicinal cherry notes that might have turned you off in the past, this scent features a sophisticated, juicy cherry accord that is balanced by rich coffee and warm vanilla. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2025

For those with active TB, treatment can take the same amount of time, but there are more medicinal options. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 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