medical

American  

[med-i-kuhl] / ˈmɛd ɪ kəl /

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.

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noun

medicals plural

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

medical British  

/ 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

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noun

1. informal a medical examination

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• medicals
  plural

Etymology

Origin of medical

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

Explanation

Medical can describe the practice of medicine, or a type of illness or injury. If bright red spots have erupted all over your arms, you probably have some sort of medical condition, and it would be wise for you to visit a doctor. Medical comes from the Latin word mederi, meaning "to heal," which is exactly what medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are trained to do. When you arrive at your doctor's office or local emergency room complaining of various medical conditions ranging from strep throat to a sprained wrist, doctors provide the necessary medical care.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

medical medicals

Many medical experts have warned against that recommendation, citing a lack of evidence.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

The mile has been the most iconic distance in sports since long before a British medical student named Roger Bannister completed it in less than four minutes in 1954.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

He says though this is quite rare, there was substantial medical literature on it.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

This makes common infections harder to treat and can increase the risks associated with routine surgery, cancer care, and other medical procedures.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

Masha and her crew were picked up by friendly Soviet antiaircraft gunners, who drove them to a medical post.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Foster says he currently has no concerns about the contest as long as they "pass their medicals and pass all their neurological batteries".

From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026

“So on my visits, I’ll be doing medicals but just decided not to do it here.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 1, 2024

“We couldn’t do anything and tried to honor the rules that the league puts in place and letting the medicals go through,” Matheny said.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 28, 2022

New York chose not to offer Rocker a contract after evaluating his medicals.

From New York Times ● Jul. 18, 2022

He reminds me of a Toronto professor of anatomy who wouldn't allow the poor squeamish medicals to smoke in the dissecting room, because, he said, one bad smell was better than two.

From Two Knapsacks A Novel of Canadian Summer Life by Campbell, John

Related Words

• medicinal
• therapeutic