expectorant

American  

[ik-spek-ter-uhnt] / ɪkˈspɛk tər ənt /

adjective

1. promoting the discharge of phlegm or other fluid from the respiratory tract.

---

noun

1. an expectorant medicine.

expectorant British  

/ ɪkˈspɛktərənt /

adjective

1. promoting the secretion, liquefaction, or expulsion of sputum from the respiratory passages

---

noun

1. an expectorant drug or agent

expectorant Scientific  

/ ĭk-spĕk′tər-ənt /

1. A drug that promotes the discharge of phlegm or mucus from the respiratory tract.

---

Etymology

Origin of expectorant

1775–85; < Latin expectorant- (stem of expectorāns ), present participle of expectorāre to expectorate; see -ant

Example Sentences

In India, 33 children died in 1998 after taking a contaminated cough expectorant.

From New York Times • Oct. 21, 2022

Acetaminophen can help relieve aches and pains, and cold medications with expectorant can loosen up chest congestion.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2021

It may help ease a cough, though: In one study, coughers got more relief from drinking a imxture of instant coffee and honey than mixtures containing a common expectorant or a steroid.

From Time • Nov. 10, 2016

Peppermint essential oil acts as an expectorant, meaning it clears the airways of mucus, which, in this case, is caused by an allergic reaction.

From US News • Oct. 18, 2016

The root is tonic, febrifuge and expectorant and the fruit nervine and emmenagogue according to the Sanscrit writer.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Thomas, Jerome Beers