medicinal

adjective

me·dic·i·nal

mə-ˈdis-nəl,

-ˈdi-sᵊn-əl

in Shakespeare & Milton ˌme-di-ˈsī-nᵊl

& ˈmed-sə-nəl

Synonyms of medicinal

: tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain

a medicinal compound

the plant's medicinal properties

used for medicinal purposes

: salutary

… a medicinal phrase that he would repeat … in all moments of adversity …—W. B. Yeats

medicinal noun

medicinally

mə-ˈdis-nə-lē

-ˈdi-sᵊn-ə-lē;

adverb

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

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 problem is that the gap between a medicinal dose and a toxic dose is very small and varies from one batch to the next. — Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Certain medicinal plants grown on the property will be incorporated into oils and treatments going forward as will some of the honey from the resort's six hives. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026 But the field’s subsequent focus on brain physiology and medicinal therapies has done little to reduce the toll of mental illness. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 19 Aug. 2026 Hernández sells bunches of medicinal herbs — his most popular online item — and ships them all over the country. — Delia Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for medicinal

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of medicinal was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Medicinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medicinal. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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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

medicinal

adjective

Synonyms of medicinal

Examples of medicinal in a Sentence

Word History

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Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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medicinal

adjective

Synonyms of medicinal

Examples of medicinal in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing medicinal

Rhymes for medicinal

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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