prescription drug

noun

Synonyms of prescription drugnext
: a drug that can be obtained only by means of a physician's prescription

Examples of prescription drug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
About 1% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries will have no prescription drug plan available during general enrollment, the analysis found. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Residents should open and read Medicare mail to review coverage plans and take a close look at prescription drugs. — Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2026 Referred to as financial toxicity, a diagnosis can result in harmful economic burden, stress and debt due to high out-of-pocket medical costs stemming from diagnostic tests, treatments, prescription drugs and hospital stays. — Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 The prescription drugs have had the biggest decrease in history. — NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prescription drug

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prescription drug was in 1872

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Cite this Entry

“Prescription drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prescription%20drug. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Medical Definition

prescription drug

noun
: a drug that can be obtained only by means of a physician's prescription

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