prescribed

American

[pri-skrahybd] / prɪˈskraɪbd /

adjective

dictated or indicated as a rule or course of action to be followed.

To limit your definition of art to certain prescribed forms is to cut yourself off from the bulk of human existence.
Medicine/Medical. (of a medicine, treatment, etc.) recommended or ordered by a qualified practitioner.

Test results for legal or prescribed drugs are returned in about two minutes.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of prescribe.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of prescribed

prescribe ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

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.

His responsibilities included coordinating medical appointments and helping ensure Perry took medication that he was lawfully prescribed.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Statins remain the most widely prescribed drugs for lowering cholesterol and reducing heart disease risk.

From Science Daily • May 25, 2026

Patients who are prescribed GLP-1 drugs tend to have more access to healthcare and more consistent follow-up than those who aren’t—advantages that could independently improve their outcomes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Misoprostol was initially approved by the FDA for stomach ulcers and is routinely prescribed off-label to induce labor, treat postpartum hemorrhage, and prepare the cervix for IUD insertion.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

Years before, Nollie had moved from our room at the top of the stairs down to Tante Bep’s little nook, and there she and Tante Anna were closeted for the prescribed half-hour.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023