pharmaceutical
n. · adj.-
1 a medical drug (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Medicinea medicine or drug produced by a company.
a medicinal drug or compound produced for therapeutic use.
ExampleThe doctor explained that this new pharmaceutical would help lower his blood pressure.
ExampleThe hospital pharmacy stocks a wide range of pharmaceuticals, from common antibiotics to specialized treatments for rare genetic conditions.
UsageOften used in the plural when referring to the products of the industry.
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2 relating to medicine (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Medicinerelating to the making and selling of medicines.
pertaining to the discovery, development, and manufacture of drugs.
ExampleShe works for a large pharmaceutical company in the city center.
ExampleRecent pharmaceutical breakthroughs have significantly improved the survival rates for patients with previously untreatable viral infections.
UsageUsually placed before a noun.
From Latin pharmaceuticus (“of drugs”) + -al, from Ancient Greek φαρμακευτικός (pharmakeutikós, “of or by means of drugs or pharmacy”).