aspirin
Americannoun
-
Pharmacology. a white, crystalline substance, C 9 H 8 O 4 , derivative of salicylic acid, used as an anti-inflammatory agent and to relieve the pain of headache, rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, etc.; acetylsalicylic acid.
-
an aspirin tablet.
I took two aspirin and went right to bed.
noun
-
Chemical name: acetylsalicylic acid. a white crystalline compound widely used in the form of tablets to relieve pain and fever, to reduce inflammation, and to prevent strokes. Formula: CH 3 COOC 6 H 4 COOH
-
a tablet of aspirin
Closer Look
Ninety percent of the population experiences at least one headache each year. The most common type is a tension headache, which is caused by stress and is characterized by tightening of the muscles in the base of the neck and along the scalp. Aspirin alleviates headaches by blocking the body's production of prostaglandins, hormones that contribute to pain by stimulating muscle contraction and blood vessel dilation. For thousands of years, people chewed the bark of willow trees to control headache and other pain. The study of the properties of this medicinal plant led German chemist Hermann Kolbe to synthesize acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a building block of aspirin, in 1859. A pure form of ASA wasn't prepared until 1897, by Felix Hoffman, a chemist in the Bayer chemical factory in Germany. After publication of successful clinical trials, aspirin was distributed in powder form in 1899 and as a tablet in 1900. Aspirin possesses a number of properties that make it one of the most recommended drugs. Besides being an analgesic, or pain reliever, it also reduces inflammation that often accompanies injuries or diseases, such as arthritis. It is also an antipyretic compound, or fever reducer. Aspirin is the only over-the-counter analgesic approved for prevention of cardiovascular disease. New research suggests that aspirin may also decrease the risk of some forms of stroke. Additional studies indicate that aspirin may play a role in reducing the risks of ovarian cancer.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of aspirin
First recorded in 1899; originally a German trademark, equivalent to A(cetyl) + Spir(säure) “salicylic acid” + -in noun suffix; see acetyl, spirea, -in 2
Explanation
Aspirin is a medicine you might take when you have a headache. You can buy aspirin at a drug store, supermarket, or convenience store. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug — it reduces pain, swelling, and fever. Some people take aspirin in very small amounts to reduce the risk of having a stroke or heart attack, and since the late 1800s people have taken it to ease the pain of head and body aches. The word aspirin, coined by a German chemist, was originally a trademarked brand name, from the Latin Spiraea, the plant from which aspirin's chemicals were originally extracted.
Vocabulary lists containing aspirin
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for October 9–October 15, 2021
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Aspirin was introduced in 1899 for fevers and aches, and it quickly became one of the world’s most widely used drugs.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
Aspirin prevents heart attacks, and good policy could give other generic drugs a second life.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
Bayer, the maker of Aspirin, said sales in the third quarter came in at 9.66 billion euros, driven by a strong performance in its crop science division and demand for new drugs.
From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025
That health assessment revealed that the president takes several medications to control his cholesterol - Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe, as well as Aspirin for cardiac prevention and Mometasone cream for a skin condition.
From BBC • Jul. 18, 2025
"Aspirin and ginger ale," I ordered, and got a knowing grin from the barkeep.
From Cue for Quiet by Sherred, Thomas L.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
