medicine
noun
med·i·cine
ˈme-di-sən 
British usually
ˈmed-sən
1
a
: a substance or preparation used in treating disease
cough medicine
b
: something that affects well-being
he's bad medicine—
Zane Grey
Zane Grey2
a
: the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease
She's interested in a career in medicine.
b
: the branch of medicine concerned with the nonsurgical treatment of disease
3
: a substance (such as a drug or potion) used to treat something other than disease
4
: an object held in traditional American Indian belief to give control over natural or magical forces
also
: magical power or a magical rite
medicine
transitive verb
Examples of medicine in a Sentence
He forgot to take his medicine.
Did you look in the medicine cabinet for a pain reliever?
Their research has led to many important advances in modern medicine.
She's interested in a career in medicine.
Recent Examples on the Web
Today, more of us than ever are turning to the internet and technologies like remote medicine for healthcare services and advice.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
It was also used to season foods, mixed into drinks, combined with medicines, and given as a gift.
—Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 28 Mar. 2025
Sometimes, short-acting tranquilizers can help, but some of these same medicines can also cause sleepwalking.18
When sleepwalking is related to an underlying disorder or medication, treating that condition or switching medications may help.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
India is a global leader in generic drug manufacturing, supplying a significant portion of the world’s vaccines and medicines.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for medicine
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.
Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
It was also used to season foods, mixed into drinks, combined with medicines, and given as a gift.
—Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 28 Mar. 2025
Sometimes, short-acting tranquilizers can help, but some of these same medicines can also cause sleepwalking.18
When sleepwalking is related to an underlying disorder or medication, treating that condition or switching medications may help.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
India is a global leader in generic drug manufacturing, supplying a significant portion of the world’s vaccines and medicines.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for medicine
Cite this Entry
“Medicine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medicine. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
medicine
noun
med·i·cine
ˈmed-ə-sən
1
: a substance or preparation used in treating disease
2
: the science or art that deals with the prevention, cure, or easing of disease
especially
: the practice of the physician as it differs from that of the surgeon
3
: an object, power, or ceremony held to give control over natural or magical forces
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share