www.merriam-webster.com Open in urlscan Pro
2600:9000:223d:d400:c:3d32:e340:93a1  Public Scan

Form analysis
3 forms found in the DOM

/dictionary

<form id="search-form" class="d-flex w-100 position-relative search-form search-nonempty" autocomplete="off" novalidate="" action="/dictionary">
  <input id="search-term" class="form-control rounded border-dark search" type="search" placeholder="Search Dictionary" aria-label="Search" value="medical" autocomplete="off" spellcheck="false" autocorrect="off" autocapitalize="off">
  <button class="btn position-absolute close-button" title="close" aria-label="Close Search" type="reset">
    <svg class="align-middle" width="12" height="13" viewBox="0 0 12 13" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
      <path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd"
        d="M7.42616 6.5L11.7046 10.7785C12.0985 11.1723 12.0985 11.8108 11.7046 12.2046C11.3108 12.5985 10.6723 12.5985 10.2785 12.2046L6 7.92616L1.72153 12.2046C1.3277 12.5985 0.68919 12.5985 0.295367 12.2046C-0.0984557 11.8108 -0.0984557 11.1723 0.295367 10.7785L4.57384 6.5L0.295367 2.22153C-0.0984557 1.8277 -0.0984557 1.18919 0.295367 0.795367C0.68919 0.401544 1.3277 0.401544 1.72153 0.795367L6 5.07384L10.2785 0.795367C10.6723 0.401544 11.3108 0.401544 11.7046 0.795367C12.0985 1.18919 12.0985 1.8277 11.7046 2.22153L7.42616 6.5Z"
        fill="#97BECE"></path>
    </svg>
  </button>
  <button class="btn position-absolute search-button search-dictionary" title="Search" aria-label="Search Word" type="submit">
    <svg class="svg replaced-svg align-middle" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="19px" height="21px" viewBox="0 0 26 29" version="1.1">
      <g class="Search" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd">
        <g class="g-search-icon" transform="translate(1.000000, 1.000000)" fill="#fff" fill-rule="nonzero">
          <path
            d="M17.5185815,17.4073633 L24.5896493,24.4784311 C24.9801736,24.8689554 24.9801736,25.5021204 24.5896493,25.8926447 L23.1754357,27.3068582 C22.7849114,27.6973825 22.1517464,27.6973825 21.7612221,27.3068582 L14.6901543,20.2357904 C14.29963,19.8452661 14.29963,19.2121011 14.6901543,18.8215769 L16.1043679,17.4073633 C16.4948922,17.016839 17.1280572,17.016839 17.5185815,17.4073633 Z M10.5,21 C4.70101013,21 0,16.2989899 0,10.5 C0,4.70101013 4.70101013,0 10.5,0 C16.2989899,0 21,4.70101013 21,10.5 C21,16.2989899 16.2989899,21 10.5,21 Z M10.5,18 C14.6421356,18 18,14.6421356 18,10.5 C18,6.35786438 14.6421356,3 10.5,3 C6.35786438,3 3,6.35786438 3,10.5 C3,14.6421356 6.35786438,18 10.5,18 Z"
            class="Oval"></path>
        </g>
      </g>
    </svg>
  </button>
</form>

POST /word-of-the-day

<form class="js-wod-subscribe-frm wotd-side__subscribe__form" action="/word-of-the-day" method="post">
  <input type="submit" class="wod-submit wotd-side__subscribe__form__submit" name="wod-submit" value="SUBSCRIBE">
  <input type="text" class="wod-subscribe wotd-side__subscribe__form__input" name="wod-subscribe" placeholder="Your email address" aria-label="Subscribe to Word of the Day">
</form>

<form data-medium="footer" class="footer-subscribe js-wod-subscribe-frm">
  <input class="footer-subscribe-field" type="text" name="email" value="" aria-label="Sign up for Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day newsletter" placeholder="Your email address">
  <input class="footer-subscribe-button" type="submit" name="submit" aria-label="Subscribe" value="SUBSCRIBE">
  <input class="footer-subscribe-button hidden arrow" type="submit" name="submit" value=">">
</form>

Text Content

Merriam-Webster Logo


Menu Toggle
 
Merriam-Webster Logo
Hello,
Username
Log In Sign Up
 * Games & Quizzes
 * Games & Quizzes
 * Word of the Day
 * Grammar
 * Wordplay
 * Word Finder
 * Thesaurus
 * Join MWU
 * * Shop
   * Books link icon
   * Merch link icon
 * * Settings
   * My Words
   * Recents
   * Account
   * Log Out
 * More
   
   * Thesaurus
   * Join MWU link icon
   * Shop
   * Books link icon
   * Merch link icon
      * Log In
      * Username
      * My Words
      * Recents
      * Account
      * Log Out


Est. 1828
Dictionary
 * Definition
 * Definition
 * 
 * Example Sentences
 * Word History
 * Phrases Containing
 * Related Articles
 * Entries Near

 *  * Cite this EntryCitation
    * Share
    * Kids DefinitionKids
    * Medical DefinitionMedical
    * More from M-W
   
   Show more
 * Show more
   * Citation
   * Share
   * Kids
   * Medical
   * More from M-W

 * Save Word
   * To save this word, you'll need to log in.
     Log In





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



EXAMPLE SENTENCES

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 His clinic also includes a medical spa that offers
less invasive, maintenance procedures such as Botox and silicone injections and
laser resurfacing to keep the face tight, toned and supple. — Jon Stojan, USA
TODAY, 7 Sep. 2023 Ectopic pregnancies are not viable and require immediate
medical attention. — Rebecca Stewart, Parents, 6 Sep. 2023 The crash occurred in
front of 7 Westminster St. at 7:52 p.m., according to police, who did not
release the victim’s identity or medical condition. — Ashley Soebroto,
BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 2023
The coalition’s homelessness outreach team is contracted through the city and
coordinates resources to provide food, basic medical care and harm reduction
kits during weekly popups around the city. — Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily
News, 6 Sep. 2023 The former medical official lost a significant amount of trust
from the public between December 2020 and April 2022. — Julia Johnson,
Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2023 Flatulence is the medical term for passing of
gas through the rectum. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023 The
report said that the retractors were not included in a routine count of medical
equipment in the hospital department, as is standard. — Patrick Smith, NBC News,
5 Sep. 2023 Emergency medical personnel rendered assistance and Wilcox was taken
to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead
shortly after 8 p.m. — Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023
See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to
illustrate current usage of the word 'medical.' Any opinions expressed in the
examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us
feedback about these examples.




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
See more words from the same year


PHRASES CONTAINING MEDICAL

 * emergency medical technician
 * medical examiner
 * medical facility
 * medical marijuana
 * medical opinion
 * medical history
 * medical practitioner
 * medical center
 * major-medical
   medical cannabis

See More
 * emergency medical technician
 * medical examiner
 * medical facility
 * medical marijuana
 * medical opinion
 * medical history
   medical practitionermedical centermajor-medicalmedical cannabis

See More


ARTICLES RELATED TO MEDICAL

Medical Words For Everyday Situations

Diagnose your friends' problems




DICTIONARY ENTRIES NEAR MEDICAL

Medicaid

medical

medical center

See More Nearby Entries 


CITE THIS ENTRY

Style
MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster

“Medical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster,
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medical. Accessed 13 Sep. 2023.

Copy Citation


SHARE

Post the Definition of medical to Facebook Facebook Facebook
Share the Definition of medical on Twitter Twitter Twitter


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


MORE FROM MERRIAM-WEBSTER ON MEDICAL

Nglish: Translation of medical for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of medical for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: 9 Sep 2023 - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and
advanced search—ad free!

Merriam-Webster unabridged


CAN YOU SOLVE 4 WORDS AT ONCE?

Play Play


CAN YOU SOLVE 4 WORDS AT ONCE?

Play Play


WORD OF THE DAY

ABSTAIN

Listen to the pronunciation of abstain

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!





WORD GAMES

Name That Animal: Volume 2 Can you tell a meerkat from a wombat?
Take the quiz
Challenging Words You Should Know Not a quiz for the pusillanimous
Take the quiz
Name That Thing You know what it looks like… but what is it cal...
Take the quiz
Spelling Bee Quiz Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Merriam Webster

Learn a new word every day. Delivered to your inbox!



OTHER MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARIES

 * MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY
 * SCRABBLE® WORD FINDER
 * MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY API

 * NGLISH - SPANISH-ENGLISH TRANSLATION
 * BRITANNICA ENGLISH - ARABIC TRANSLATION

FOLLOW US

 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * YouTube
 * Instagram

 * Browse the Dictionary:
 * a
 * b
 * c
 * d
 * e
 * f
 * g
 * h
 * i
 * j
 * k
 * l
 * m
 * n
 * o
 * p
 * q
 * r
 * s
 * t
 * u
 * v
 * w
 * x
 * y
 * z
 * 0-9
 * BIO
 * GEO

 * Home
 * Help
 * About Us
 * Shop
 * Advertising Info
 * Dictionary API
 * Contact Us
 * Join MWU
 * Videos
 * Word of the Year
 * Kid's Dictionary
 * Law Dictionary
 * Medical Dictionary
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms of Use

 * Browse the Thesaurus
 * Browse the Medical Dictionary
 * Browse the Legal Dictionary
 * Browse the Kid's Dictionary

© 2023 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated


Update Privacy Preferences