pharmacology

American  

[fahr-muh-kol-uh-jee] / ˌfɑr məˈkɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the science dealing with the preparation, uses, and especially the effects of drugs.

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pharmacology British  

/ ˌfɑːməkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌfɑːməˈkɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the science of drugs, including their characteristics and uses

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pharmacology Scientific  

/ fär′mə-kŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of drugs and their effects, especially in the treatment of disease.

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Other Word Forms

• pharmacologic
  adjective
• pharmacological
  adjective
• pharmacologically
  adverb
• pharmacologist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of pharmacology

From the New Latin word pharmacologia, dating back to 1715–25; see pharmaco-, -logy

Example Sentences

And for the guideline bodies: The precision-medicine framework applied to oncology and cardiology has not yet reached metabolic pharmacology.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2026

The company website shows Lilly is currently hiring for roles in its research division relating to in vivo pharmacology.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Peter R. Kowey is a professor of medicine and clinical pharmacology at Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the William Wikoff Smith chair in cardiovascular research.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026

Nutritionists’ take: “It’s probably a sequel to coconut water,” says Dr. Thomas Sherman, a professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University Medical Center.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

I reflected that I had every other known malady in the pharmacology, and I grew less selfish, and determined to do without housemaid’s knee. 

From Three Men in a Boat by Jerome, Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka)