medical

[med-i-kuhl]

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.

noun

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

medical

/ 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

noun

1. informal,  a medical examination

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of medical¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of medical¹

C17: from Medieval Latin medicālis, from Latin medicus physician, surgeon, from medērī to heal

Example Sentences

Throughout his medical records, I can see glimpses of who my dad is, who he’s always been—a complex soul who can be both affable and combative, cooperative and recalcitrant, depending on his mood.

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Research published in medical journals indicates that myocarditis after a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is rare, although it is more likely to occur in boys within the first week of receiving the second dose.

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Researchers expect major breakthroughs in physics, medical research, cryptography and several other fields as these machines mature.

Read more on Science Daily

“Actual medical providers understand the real need for this care,” asserted Liza Brazzle.

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Oxford University will award an honorary degree to President Steinmeier, on a trip where he will learn about medical research at the university.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• medicinal 
• therapeutic 

When To Use

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.