clinical

adjective

clin·​i·​cal ˈkli-ni-kəl How to pronounce clinical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or conducted in or as if in a clinic: such as
a
: involving direct observation of the patient
clinical diagnosis
b
: based on or characterized by observable and diagnosable symptoms
clinical treatment
clinical tuberculosis
2
: analytical or coolly dispassionate
describing the situation with clinical detachment
3
US, informal : done or performed with excellence and precision : exemplary
In the meantime Bryant … continued his clinical shooting, which has allowed him to more than double his scoring average …Alexander Wolff
clinically adverb

Examples of clinical in a Sentence

Both experimental and clinical evidence show that the treatment is effective. She enjoys her clinical practice but is looking forward to working in a laboratory. Three hundred patients were involved in the clinical study.
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.
The Lamont Administration is acting prudently by ensuring that the implementation of any new Medicaid coverage aligns with both clinical best practices and budgetary responsibility. Andrea Barton Reeves, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025 Jones is a pediatrician and clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Arizona School of Medicine, and the founder of Dr. MILK (Mothers Interested in Lactation Knowledge), a breastfeeding support network. Melissa Willets, Parents, 5 Mar. 2025 The holistic treatment center, with a stoop on Elk Avenue, was founded by esthetician and clinical herbalist Jess Taylor. Morgan Tilton, The Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2025 The healthcare provider was able to monitor patient financial data, measure the quality of clinical data, and validate provider identities and credentials. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clinical

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clinical was circa 1728

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Cite this Entry

“Clinical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinical. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

clinical

adjective
clin·​i·​cal ˈklin-i-kəl How to pronounce clinical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or conducted in or as if in a clinic
clinical examination
2
: involving or based on direct observation of the patient
clinical studies
clinically adverb

Medical Definition

clinical

adjective
clin·​i·​cal ˈklin-i-kəl How to pronounce clinical (audio)
: of, relating to, or conducted in or as if in a clinic: as
a
: involving or concerned with the direct observation and treatment of living patients
engaged in full-time clinical practice
clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology
b
: of, relating to, based on, or characterized by observable and diagnosable symptoms of disease
the clinical picture on admission was that of mild depression in an extremely rigid personalityOccupational Therapy & Rehabilitation
three of these six foods were actually the cause of symptoms, and upon their elimination, clinical cure was effectedJournal of Pediatrics
clinically adverb
a clinically significant infection
clinically effective therapies

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