prescribe

American  

[pri-skrahyb] / prɪˈskraɪb /

verb (used with object)

prescribed, prescribing

1. to lay down, in writing or otherwise, as a rule or a course of action to be followed; appoint, ordain, or enjoin.

   Synonyms:

   decree, dictate, direct

2. Medicine/Medical. to designate or order the use of (a medicine, remedy, treatment, etc.).

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verb (used without object)

prescribed, prescribing

1. to lay down rules; direct; dictate.

2. Medicine/Medical. to designate remedies, treatment, etc., to be used.

3. Law. to claim a right or title by virtue of long use and enjoyment; make a prescriptive claim. (usually followed by for orto ).

prescribe British  

/ prɪˈskraɪb /

verb

1. to lay down as a rule or directive

2. law to claim or acquire (a right, title, etc) by prescription

3. law to make or become invalid or unenforceable by lapse of time

4. med to recommend or order the use of (a drug or other remedy)

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Other Word Forms

• misprescribe verb
• nonprescriber noun
• overprescribe verb
• prescribable adjective
• prescriber noun
• represcribe verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of prescribe

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English from Latin praescrībere “to direct in writing,” literally, “to write before or above,” equivalent to prae- pre- + scrībere “to write”; see scribe ¹, prescription

Explanation

To prescribe is make orders or give directions for something to be done. These days, the word is mainly used by doctors who prescribe medications to take. Doctors do a lot of prescribing: they prescribe drugs, rest, exercise, and getting rid of bad habits like smoking. When a doctor prescribes something, he or she is saying, "You need to do this. You should do it." That's the most common use of prescribe, but it pops up anywhere someone is advising or ordering someone to do something. All laws and rules prescribe things — they tell you what to do.

Example Sentences

“I don’t prescribe these medications. We have no long-term clinical data.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Water Minister Emma Hardy is now considering only allowing vets and other medically-trained professionals to prescribe parasiticides, launching an eight-week consultation with the sector.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

The guidelines prescribe LDL goals based on scan scores.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

When we prescribe these drugs to patients whose endogenous GLP-1 system is functioning normally, we are not filling a deficit.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2026

Her face filled with sorrow and her voice was shaking when she spoke: “You have to tell me what happened so I can prescribe treatment.”

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah

Related Words

• define
• determine
• dictate
• establish
• impose
• lay down
• require
• specify