medical
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to the science or practice of medicine.
medical history; medical treatment.
-
curative; medicinal; therapeutic.
medical properties.
-
pertaining to or requiring treatment by other than surgical means.
-
pertaining to or giving evidence of the state of one's health.
a medical discharge from the army; a medical examination.
noun
-
medicals
plural
adjective
-
of or relating to the science of medicine or to the treatment of patients by drugs, etc, as opposed to surgery
-
a less common word for medicinal
noun
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
-
antimedicaladjective
-
nonmedicaladjective
-
pseudomedicaladjective
-
quasi-medicaladjective
-
unmedicaladjective
-
antimedicallyadverb
-
medicallyadverb
-
nonmedicallyadverb
-
pseudomedicallyadverb
-
quasi-medicallyadverb
-
unmedicallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing medical
National Nurses Week: Common Medical Terms
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Refugees Find New Lives"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Chapter 15: The Spirit of Reform
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Matt Lyons, an 82-year-old retired military medical administrator who lives in Texas, went on a solo cruise shortly after his wife died.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
The project also involved ASU researchers and collaborators from medical and research institutions around the United States.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026
Two days later, the fourth-round pick found himself in the blue medical tent.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was transferred back to jail on Friday, authorities said, hours after the popular politician was taken to hospital for court-ordered medical checks.
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
Joey needs good medical care, but she isn’t a public health hazard.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Both Sancho and Elliott are now at Villa to complete medicals and the formalities of their loan moves.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2025
Unlike Judge’s foundation, which tweeted “Case closed” and congratulated its founder on returning to New York, Cashman had to wait out the paperwork, the medicals and the contract language.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 7, 2022
He’s on a draftable trajectory right now, as long as the medicals are OK.”
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 16, 2022
New York chose not to offer Rocker a contract after evaluating his medicals.
From New York Times ● Jul. 18, 2022
If, instead of starving upon dispensaries in Ireland, a few of the best young medicals would only learn French, there are some capital openings here.
From Charles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. I by Edmund Downey
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.
