adjective
Common
pharmaceutical
fah-muh-SOO-tih-kl
Pharmaceutical (adjective) means relating to the preparation, sale, or study of medicinal drugs. Example: “The pharmaceutical laboratory tests every new tablet for safety.”
adjective
1
Relating to the preparation, sale, or study of medicinal drugs.
"The pharmaceutical laboratory tests every new tablet for safety."
"The pharmaceutical industry invests heavily in clinical trials."
"She works for a large pharmaceutical company in research and development."
noun
1
A manufactured drug or medicine.
"Many pharmaceuticals must be stored away from heat and light."
"The lorry delivered boxes of pharmaceuticals to the hospital."
"The warehouse stores pharmaceuticals that need refrigeration."
How to use pharmaceutical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with medicines and the companies or science behind making them.
Common pairings
pharmaceutical company
pharmaceutical industry
pharmaceutical drug
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Word forms
- Plural
- pharmaceuticals
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The _____ laboratory tests every new tablet for safety.
Etymology
From Latin pharmaceuticus ("of drugs"), itself from Greek pharmakeutikos, meaning relating to the use of medicines.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pharmaceutical
See all rhymes for pharmaceutical →Frequently asked questions
What does “pharmaceutical” mean?
The word “pharmaceutical” means relating to the preparation, sale, or study of medicinal drugs. In plain terms, to do with medicines and the companies or science behind making them.
How do you pronounce “pharmaceutical”?
“Pharmaceutical” is pronounced fah-muh-SOO-tih-kl (/ˌfɑɹməˈs(j)utɪkl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “pharmaceutical” in a sentence?
Here is “pharmaceutical” used in a sentence: “The pharmaceutical industry invests heavily in clinical trials.”
What part of speech is “pharmaceutical”?
Depending on how it is used, “pharmaceutical” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “pharmaceutical” come from?
The word “pharmaceutical” comes from Latin. From Latin pharmaceuticus ("of drugs"), itself from Greek pharmakeutikos, meaning relating to the use of medicines.
Is “pharmaceutical” a common word?
“Pharmaceutical” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pharmaceutical” have?
“Pharmaceutical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the preparation, sale, or study of medicinal drugs.
What is the difference between a pharmaceutical and a medicine?
In everyday use they overlap, but 'pharmaceutical' usually stresses that the drug is manufactured, often by the drug industry, while 'medicine' is the broader word for anything taken to treat illness. All pharmaceuticals are medicines, but medicines also include simple remedies not made industrially.
What is the difference between 'pharmaceutical' and 'pharmacy'?
Pharmaceutical is an adjective relating to medicinal drugs, or a noun meaning a manufactured drug. A pharmacy is the place, such as a chemist's shop or hospital department, where those drugs are prepared and dispensed.
What is the difference between 'pharmaceutical' and 'medicinal'?
Pharmaceutical relates to the preparation, sale, or study of drugs, and often to the drug industry itself. Medicinal describes something with healing properties or used as a medicine, such as a 'medicinal herb,' even when it is natural and not manufactured.
What is the 'pharmaceutical industry'?
The pharmaceutical industry is the sector of business concerned with the preparation, manufacture, and sale of medicinal drugs. Firms within it are commonly called 'pharmaceutical companies' or, informally, 'big pharma.'
