English Reference

Word

prescription

Phoneticspre·scrip·tion, stress on the second syllable

US/pɹəsˈkɹɪpʃən/

UK/pɹɪskɹˈɪpʃən/

Definitions

01medical order

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Medicine

n. a piece of paper from a doctor that allows you to get a specific medicine from a pharmacy.

n. a written order from a licensed medical practitioner authorizing a patient to be provided with a specific medication or treatment.

“The doctor wrote me a prescription for some strong painkillers after my surgery.”

“The pharmacist refused to dispense the medication because the prescription lacked the necessary physician signature and date of issue.”

Synonyms

02the medicine itself

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Medicine

n. the actual medicine that a doctor has ordered for you.

n. the medicine or remedy prescribed by a medical professional.

“I need to stop at the chemist to pick up my prescription.”

“Patients are advised to finish their entire prescription of antibiotics even if they begin to feel better after a few days.”

Synonyms

03a recommendation or rule

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a rule or a plan for how something should be done or handled.

n. a recommendation, rule, or formal direction for action or conduct.

“Her prescription for a happy life is simple: eat well and sleep enough.”

“The economist's prescription for the failing industry involved a controversial mix of tax breaks and aggressive deregulation.”

04linguistic rules

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Academic · Technical

n. the act of making rules about how a language should be used correctly.

n. the establishment of authoritative norms for language use, often contrasted with description.

“Some teachers prefer strict prescription, while others just describe how people actually speak.”

“Linguistic prescription often reflects the social biases of the era rather than the inherent logic of the language itself.”

Synonyms

prescriptivism

Antonyms

05legal time limit

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Law Formal · Technical

n. a rule that says a right or a claim is lost if it is not used within a certain time.

n. the acquisition of a right or title, or the loss of a right to sue, through the effect of a lapse of time.

“The company argued that the claim was invalid because of the law of prescription.”

“Under the principle of acquisitive prescription, the occupant gained legal title to the land after twenty years of uninterrupted use.”

Synonyms

limitationstatute of limitations

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “prescription” in context.

Verb

01. fill a prescription

“I need to stop by the pharmacy to fill a prescription for my allergy medication.”

verb + noun

02. issue a prescription

“The specialist issued a prescription for a stronger dose of antibiotics.”

verb + noun

03. write a prescription for the patient

“After the diagnosis, the doctor wrote a prescription for the patient to manage the pain.”

verb + noun + prep + noun

Adjective

04. repeat prescription

“Patients with chronic conditions can often request a repeat prescription online.”

adj + noun

05. valid prescription

“You cannot purchase these controlled substances without a valid prescription.”

adj + noun

Noun

06. prescription charges

“The government is debating whether to increase prescription charges for low-income families.”

noun + noun

07. prescription for disaster

“Ignoring the safety protocols in a chemical plant is a clear prescription for disaster.”

noun + prep + noun

Preposition

08. on prescription

“In many countries, high-strength painkillers are only available on prescription.”

prep + noun

Confusables

prescription vs recipe

A recipe is for the kitchen; a prescription is for the pharmacy.

RememberRecipe = Food. Prescription = Pharmacy.

Real-World Examples

“Most users buy the drugs with a private prescription.”
The Guardian 15 Aug 2026
“Then, two years ago, he swapped pints for prescription drugs he discovered through social media.”
BBC News 18 Aug 2026

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French, from Old French prescripcion, from Latin praescriptio (“preface; pretext; something written ahead of time”), from prae- (“pre-, before”) + scribere (“to write”) + -tio (“-tion, forming nouns”). Equivalent to prescribe + -tion.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

prescription(C1)

Related words

Domains

LawLinguisticsMedicinePharmacology

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Common
Level
C1 · AdvancedOxford
Updated

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