prescribe
Americanverb (used with object)
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prescribes,
present (3rd person singular)
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prescribed,
past participle, past
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prescribing
present participle
verb (used without object)
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prescribes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
prescribed,
past participle, past
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prescribing
present participle
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Medicine/Medical. to designate remedies, treatment, etc., to be used.
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Law. to claim a right or title by virtue of long use and enjoyment; make a prescriptive claim. (usually followed by for orto ).
verb
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to lay down as a rule or directive
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law to claim or acquire (a right, title, etc) by prescription
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law to make or become invalid or unenforceable by lapse of time
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med to recommend or order the use of (a drug or other remedy)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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nonprescribernoun
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prescribernoun
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misprescribeverb
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overprescribeverb
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represcribeverb (used with object)
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prescribableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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prescribesimple
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prescribessimple
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have prescribedperfect
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has prescribedperfect
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am prescribingprogressive
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are prescribingprogressive
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is prescribingprogressive
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have been prescribingperfect progressive
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has been prescribingperfect progressive
Past
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prescribedsimple
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had prescribedperfect
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was prescribingprogressive
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were prescribingprogressive
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had been prescribingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of prescribe
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English from Latin praescrībere “to direct in writing,” literally, “to write before or above,” equivalent to prae- pre- + scrībere “to write”; see scribe 1, prescription
Explanation
To prescribe is make orders or give directions for something to be done. These days, the word is mainly used by doctors who prescribe medications to take. Doctors do a lot of prescribing: they prescribe drugs, rest, exercise, and getting rid of bad habits like smoking. When a doctor prescribes something, he or she is saying, "You need to do this. You should do it." That's the most common use of prescribe, but it pops up anywhere someone is advising or ordering someone to do something. All laws and rules prescribe things — they tell you what to do.
Vocabulary lists containing prescribe
Vocabulary from the Constitution of the United States
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Commonly Confused Words, List 2
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"Preamble" and "Bill of Rights," Vocabulary from the U.S. Constitution
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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.
See Examples For:
It’s also harder to apply some treatments such as creams to hard-to-reach areas like the back, so doctors often prescribe oral medications.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
Larger trials, longer follow-up periods, and practical methods for delivering the treatment will be needed before clinicians can routinely prescribe it.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
Most of these medications are only licensed for children or adolescents older than this, but some doctors prescribe them off-label, and drug companies are testing them in children as young as six.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Neko doesn’t prescribe medications, and it refers serious findings to a network of health systems and physician practices.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026
For recuperation, Madam Pomfrey wasn’t sure what to prescribe and said you should probably eat lots of—chocolate.
From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling
During a recent interview with the financial influencer Haley Sacks, who is known as Mrs. Dow Jones, the plastic surgeon Ryan Neinstein said he prescribes them to patients.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026
"I want every person who prescribes the drug to warn women of the possible side effects," she added.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
When he gets sedentary patients, Alter prescribes exercise like a drug.
From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026
At Carafem, a reproductive healthcare company that prescribes abortion medication via telehealth in 19 states and D.C., providers have offered the option of misoprostol-only abortions since 2020.
From Slate ● May 18, 2026
“I watch the sardines,” murmurs Madame, “and the termites, and the crows . . .” Etienne summons a doctor who prescribes rest, aspirin, and aromatic violet comfits.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Older tricyclic antidepressants, such amitriptyline, are now less commonly prescribed.
From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2026
Among the most commonly prescribed osteoporosis treatments are alendronate and zoledronate, both of which belong to the NBP drug class.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026
The Constitution says “the Times, Places and Manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives shall be prescribed in each state,” unless Congress acts by law to “alter” its regulations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
Current and former U.S. officials say China is amassing the kind of all-round sea power that Alfred Thayer Mahan, one of America’s most influential maritime strategists, prescribed for his country over a century ago.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
Her mother had been prescribed new medicine and a special diet, and Miss Perumal must go shopping for her.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
The findings may help researchers design future trials capable of determining whether coronary calcium scans can improve the efficiency of statin prescribing without compromising cardiovascular protection.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026
Researchers suggest that healthcare professionals should exercise caution when prescribing these medications during periods of increased viral transmission.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 27, 2026
The clinicians said they are prescribing glasses, hearing aids and speech therapy to children "for a problem that is unintentionally being made worse in our schools".
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Government can use its purchasing and research policies to reward strong security and safety practices without prescribing how a rapidly changing technology must develop.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
But happening to look up at Mrs. Pocket as she sat reading her book of dignities after prescribing Bed as a sovereign remedy for baby, I thought—Well—No, I wouldn’t.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
