medicinal
adjective
me·dic·i·nal
mə-ˈdis-nəl,
-ˈdi-sᵊn-əl
in Shakespeare & Milton ˌme-di-ˈsī-nᵊl
& ˈmed-sə-nəl
1
: tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain
a medicinal compound
the plant's medicinal properties
used for medicinal purposes
2
: salutary
… a medicinal phrase that he would repeat … in all moments of adversity …—
W. B. Yeats
W. B. Yeats
medicinal
noun
Examples of medicinal in a Sentence
This drug is to be used only for medicinal purposes.
even in Roman times the hot mineral springs of Bath, England, were believed to possess medicinal properties
Recent Examples on the Web
Helmed by Torin Murphy and Jordan Katz, find medicinal tincture blends, topicals, bitters, and spice blends at their booth at Stateside!
—
Rs Editors,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2026
Optional activities include medicinal herb hikes, where guests can learn about local medicinal plants, and visits to a Kneipp facility in the midst of the forest.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 July 2026
One common medicinal use is as an insecticide on the head and the feet.
—
Frannie Comstock,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 June 2026
Wine that has gone bad may have a medicinal or vinegar-like smell and may taste sharp or sour.
—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for medicinal
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Rs Editors,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2026
Optional activities include medicinal herb hikes, where guests can learn about local medicinal plants, and visits to a Kneipp facility in the midst of the forest.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 July 2026
One common medicinal use is as an insecticide on the head and the feet.
—
Frannie Comstock,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 June 2026
Wine that has gone bad may have a medicinal or vinegar-like smell and may taste sharp or sour.
—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for medicinal
Cite this Entry
“Medicinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medicinal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
medicinal
adjective
me·dic·i·nal
mə-ˈdis-nəl
-ᵊn-əl
: tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain
medicinally
adverb
-ē
Medical Definition
medicinal
1 of 2 adjective
me·dic·i·nal
mə-ˈdis-nəl, -ᵊn-əl
: of, relating to, or being medicine : tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain
medicinal
2 of 2 noun
: a medicinal substance : medicine
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