medical

adjective

med·​i·​cal ˈme-di-kəl How to pronounce medical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or concerned with physicians or the practice of medicine
the medical profession
a medical journal
2
: requiring or devoted to medical treatment
a medical problem
an important advance in medical science
medically
ˈme-di-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce medical (audio)
adverb

Examples of medical in a Sentence

He has a dangerous medical condition. The report was published in a leading medical journal. Her recovery was a medical miracle. He opened his own medical practice. an important advance in medical science
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The 21-year-old flew to Tyneside and completed his medical that night. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Outside medical experts have criticized the lack of information provided by health officials, leaving more space for doubt and misinformation. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026 Defense attorney Shelli Peterson declined to elaborate Monday on Lakanwal’s medical condition and care. — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 In late 2023, the exploding popularity of these drugs caused shares of medical device companies like Insulet to plummet, fueled by the narrative that GLP-1s would eliminate the need for insulin. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for medical

Word History

Etymology

French or Late Latin; French médical, from Late Latin medicalis, from Latin medicus physician, from mederi to remedy, heal; akin to Avestan vī-mad- healer, Greek medesthai to be mindful of — more at mete

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of medical was in 1646

Phrases Containing medical

Rhymes for medical

See All Rhymes for medical

Browse Nearby Words

Medicaid
medical
medical center
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Medical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medical. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

medical

adjective
med·​i·​cal ˈmed-i-kəl How to pronounce medical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or concerned with the science or practice of medicine
a medical education
2
: requiring, providing, or used in medical treatment
medical emergencies
a medical device
medically
-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce medical (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

medical

1 of 2 adjective
med·​i·​cal ˈmed-i-kəl How to pronounce medical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or concerned with physicians or the practice of medicine often as distinguished from surgery
2
: requiring or devoted to medical treatment
a medical emergency
medically
-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce medical (audio)
adverb

medical

2 of 2 noun
: a medical examination
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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