medical

American  

[med-i-kuhl] / ˈmɛd ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the science or practice of medicine.

   medical history; medical treatment.

2. curative; medicinal; therapeutic.

   medical properties.

3. pertaining to or requiring treatment by other than surgical means.

4. pertaining to or giving evidence of the state of one's health.

   a medical discharge from the army; a medical examination.

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noun

1. something done or received in regard to the state of one's health, as a medical examination.

medical British  

/ ˈmɛdɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the science of medicine or to the treatment of patients by drugs, etc, as opposed to surgery

2. a less common word for medicinal

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noun

1. informal a medical examination

Usage

What does medical mean? Medical describes something related to the science or practice of medicine, as in My doctor’s medical experience with cancer is extensive. Medical also describes something that provides a cure or therapy for an illness or disease, as in Garlic has medical properties that have been widely studied. Example: He has to receive medical treatment one way or another.

Other Word Forms

• antimedical
  adjective
• antimedically
  adverb
• medically
  adverb
• nonmedical
  adjective
• nonmedically
  adverb
• pseudomedical
  adjective
• pseudomedically
  adverb
• quasi-medical
  adjective
• quasi-medically
  adverb
• unmedical
  adjective
• unmedically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of medical

1640–50; < Medieval Latin medicālis, equivalent to Latin medic ( us ) medical (adj.), physician (noun) (derivative of medērī to heal; see -ic) + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

Medical can describe the practice of medicine, or a type of illness or injury. If bright red spots have erupted all over your arms, you probably have some sort of medical condition, and it would be wise for you to visit a doctor. Medical comes from the Latin word mederi, meaning "to heal," which is exactly what medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are trained to do. When you arrive at your doctor's office or local emergency room complaining of various medical conditions ranging from strep throat to a sprained wrist, doctors provide the necessary medical care.

Example Sentences

Medical debt can be a killer for people’s finances.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

As the two talked more, Bloom learned the man’s wife suffered from a serious heart condition and claimed he knew the head of cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Mr. Arnold took to social media last week to promote Dr. Prasad’s 2015 book “Ending Medical Reversal,” which argues that many medical advances are dangerous and useless.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Medical evacuating the two -- likely to the Netherlands -- is the priority before moving the ship.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

With a wild look in his eyes, he headed instead for Rubsamen Medical Supply.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• medicinal
• therapeutic