prescription drug

noun

: 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 You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Chloe Castleberry, Flow Space, 26 Sep. 2024 Narcan nasal spray was first approved by the FDA in 2015 as a prescription drug, and in March, it was approved for over-the-counter sales and started being available last September at major pharmacies. CBS News, 26 Sep. 2024 The average American girl born in 2019 will take prescription drugs for more than half her life. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024 On his campaign website, Wright lists a slew of legislative priorities, including expanding access to early childhood education, lowering the price of prescription drugs and capping the cost of insulin and cleaning water polluted with harmful contaminants. Staff, Detroit Free Press, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prescription drug 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prescription drug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near prescription drug

Cite this Entry

“Prescription drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prescription%20drug. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

prescription drug

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

More from Merriam-Webster on prescription drug

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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