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

medicinal noun

medicinally

mə-ˈdis-nə-lē 

-ˈdi-sᵊn-ə-lē;

adverb

Synonyms

• cure
• drug
• medicament
• medication
• medicine
• pharmaceutical
• physic
• remedy
• specific

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

These industry standards are applied to medicinal products seeking to be imported into the European Union, ensuring pharmaceutical-grade quality. —Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

Breadfruit has been proven to have medicinal qualities (possibly addressing aspects of colon cancer and treating blood pressure), and a tea made with its leaves is said to induce sleep. —Elaine Savory, JSTOR Daily, 24 Jan. 2025

Since then the rainforest, which shelters hundreds of medicinal plants as well as tapirs, jaguarundis, peccaries, anteaters, and countless tropical bird species, has slowly begun to recover. —Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025

This class covers the identification, preparation, and safe use of medicinal herbs, focusing on their role in boosting immunity, managing stress and inflammation, and promoting overall vitality. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing medicinal

• medicinal leech

Kids Definition

medicinal

adjective

me·​dic·​i·​nal mə-ˈdis-nəl 

-ᵊn-əl

: tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain

medicinally

-ē

adverb

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

medicinally

-ē 

adverb

medicinal

2 of 2 noun

: a medicinal substance : medicine