medicine
MEHD-ih-sn
Medicine (noun) means a substance taken to treat or prevent illness. Example: “The pharmacist explained how to take the medicine safely.”
noun
1
A substance taken to treat or prevent illness.
"The pharmacist explained how to take the medicine safely."
"He hates the taste of cough medicine."
"Take this medicine twice a day with a glass of water."
2
The science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease.
"She decided to study medicine after volunteering at a hospital."
"My aunt practises medicine at a small clinic in the village."
"Advances in modern medicine have helped people live longer and more comfortably."
3
Among some Indigenous cultures, ritual or spiritual practices believed to influence healing or fortune.
"The elder spoke of the medicine bundle passed down through generations."
"The healer used medicine ceremonies to bring comfort to the whole community."
"Many families still respect the medicine traditions their ancestors followed."
How to use medicine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBroadly, anything used or practiced to heal the body — from a pill you swallow to the entire profession of doctors.
Common pairings
take medicine
practice medicine
preventive medicine
traditional medicine
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Word forms
- Plural
- medicines
- Third person singular
- medicines
- Past tense
- medicined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pharmacist explained how to take the _____ safely.
Etymology
From Old French medecine, from Latin medicīna ("the healing art"), from medicus ("physician"). The sense referring to Indigenous ritual practice was later borrowed to translate similar concepts from Ojibwe and related languages.
Synonyms
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medication
drug
remedy
treatment
cure
prescription
pharmaceutical
tonic
music
medicament
health care
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for medicine
See all rhymes for medicine →Frequently asked questions
What does “medicine” mean?
The word “medicine” means a substance taken to treat or prevent illness. In plain terms, broadly, anything used or practiced to heal the body — from a pill you swallow to the entire profession of doctors.
How do you pronounce “medicine”?
“Medicine” is pronounced MEHD-ih-sn (/ˈmɛd.ɪ.sɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “medicine” in a sentence?
Here is “medicine” used in a sentence: “The pharmacist explained how to take the medicine safely.”
What is another word for “medicine”?
Words with a similar meaning to “medicine” include health care.
What part of speech is “medicine”?
“Medicine” is a noun.
Where does the word “medicine” come from?
The word “medicine” comes from Latin.
Is “medicine” a common word?
“Medicine” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “medicine” have?
“Medicine” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a substance taken to treat or prevent illness.
What is the difference between 'medicine' and 'medication'?
Medication almost always means a specific drug used to treat a condition, often one a doctor prescribes. Medicine is broader: it covers any substance taken to treat or prevent illness, and it also names the whole science and practice of healing. All medications are medicine, but not all medicine is a single medication.
What is the difference between 'medicine' and a 'drug'?
Medicine is a substance taken to treat or prevent illness. A drug is any substance that changes how the body works, which includes medicines but also caffeine and illegal substances. So medicines are drugs used for health, while 'drug' on its own is a wider and more neutral term.
What are the types of medicine?
By form, medicine comes as tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, drops, inhalers, and injections. By purpose, some medicines cure or treat illness while others prevent it, like vaccines. The word also covers branches of practice, such as internal medicine, emergency medicine, and preventive medicine.
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