Medicare

American  

[med-i-kair] / ˈmɛd ɪˌkɛər /

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase) a U.S. government program of hospitalization insurance and voluntary medical insurance for persons aged 65 and over and for certain disabled persons under 65.

2. (lowercase) any of various government-funded programs to provide medical care to a population.

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Medicare British  

/ ˈmɛdɪˌkɛə /

noun

1. (in the US) a federally sponsored health insurance programme for persons of 65 or older

2. (often not capital) (in Canada) a similar programme covering all citizens

3. (in Australia) a government-controlled general health-insurance scheme

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Medicare ¹ Cultural  

1. A federal health insurance program, administered by the Social Security Administration, that provides health care for the aged.

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Medicare ² Cultural  

1. A federal program providing medical care for the elderly. Established by a health insurance bill in 1965, as part of President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society, the Medicare program made a significant step for social welfare legislation and helped establish the growing population of the elderly as a pressure group. (See entitlements.)

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Etymology

Origin of Medicare

medi(cal) + care

Example Sentences

The repricing of Medicare policies has been the biggest difference maker for insurers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

The story is the same over at Medicare.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 17, 2026

His decision to retire six months ago was based partly on the insurer’s promise of a $400-a-month Medicare supplement benefit, payable until death, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

For the millions of seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage, the turnaround cuts both ways.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

For all those years, as I paid her medical bills, as I filled in her 1040s and helped her with her Medicare paperwork and her will.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King