pharmacology

[fahr-muh-kol-uh-jee]

noun

1. the science dealing with the preparation, uses, and especially the effects of drugs.

pharmacology

/ ˌfɑːməkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌfɑːməˈkɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the science of drugs, including their characteristics and uses

pharmacology

1. The scientific study of drugs and their effects, especially in the treatment of disease.

Other Word Forms

• pharmacological adjective
• pharmacologic adjective
• pharmacologist noun
• pharmacologically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pharmacology¹

From the New Latin word pharmacologia, dating back to 1715–25; pharmaco-, -logy

Example Sentences

Mr. Steiner is an emeritus professor of neuroscience at City University of New York and an adjunct professor of molecular pharmacology, physiology and biotechnology at Brown University Alpert Medical School.

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He began to explore the role of pharmacology in treating depression, and in 1965 published a seminal paper positing that depression arose due to low levels of certain neurochemicals, highlighting the role of one, norepinephrine.

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The consulting firm produced a report about the product and tapped three university professors with expertise in pharmacology, toxicology and food science to weigh in.

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A surgeon by specialty, Sackier connected them with his colleague, Timothy Macdonald, a scientist and professor emeritus of chemistry and pharmacology at the University of Virginia.

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"Similar to psychotherapy, pharmacology, and other therapeutic tools it's important that we learn to best implement and support people when engaging with these powerful practices."

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