Medicare

American  

[med-i-kair] / ˈmɛd ɪˌkɛər /

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase) a U.S. government program of hospitalization insurance and voluntary medical insurance for persons aged 65 and over and for certain disabled persons under 65.

2. (lowercase) any of various government-funded programs to provide medical care to a population.

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Medicare British  

/ ˈmɛdɪˌkɛə /

noun

1. (in the US) a federally sponsored health insurance programme for persons of 65 or older

2. (often not capital) (in Canada) a similar programme covering all citizens

3. (in Australia) a government-controlled general health-insurance scheme

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Medicare ¹ Cultural  

1. A federal health insurance program, administered by the Social Security Administration, that provides health care for the aged.

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Medicare ² Cultural  

1. A federal program providing medical care for the elderly. Established by a health insurance bill in 1965, as part of President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society, the Medicare program made a significant step for social welfare legislation and helped establish the growing population of the elderly as a pressure group. (See entitlements.)

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Etymology

Origin of Medicare

medi(cal) + care

Example Sentences

The lion’s share relates to Medicare Part B, which is financed out of general taxes.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

The Medicare report is no less sobering, with the Hospital Insurance trust fund, otherwise known as Medicare Part A, scheduled for depletion in 2033, when revenues are expected to cover 89% of incurred program costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

A new legislative proposal would create a bipartisan commission to strengthen the finances of Social Security and Medicare at a time when the programs are under pressure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

I typically keep my withdrawals below the Medicare income threshold to keep my premiums as low as possible.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

Some were covered through Medicare, others on and off by spouses, but they all went stretches with no coverage or money for treatment.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot