medicinal
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or having the properties of a medicine; curative; remedial.
medicinal properties; medicinal substances.
-
unpalatable; disagreeable.
a medicinal taste.
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
- medicinally adverb
- nonmedicinal adjective
- nonmedicinally adverb
- semimedicinal adjective
- unmedicinal adjective
- unmedicinally adverb
Etymology
Origin of medicinal
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word medicīnālis. See medicine, -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Wellness influencers and regular people alike started adopting traditional Chinese medicinal practices.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026
Indigenous people and Spanish settlers utilized the viscous goo for medicinal purposes and waterproofing boats.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026
It was first used mainly for medicinal purposes before becoming a widely enjoyed daily drink.
From Science Daily • Jan. 28, 2026
Enzymes are essential to cannabinoid production in cannabis, driving the chemical reactions that create these bioactive compounds with recognized medicinal potential.
From Science Daily • Jan. 15, 2026
He would point out medicinal leaves and trees whose barks were important medicines.
From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
