Vocabulary: medical

41 entries

#8651

pharmacy [family]

pharmacy /ˈfɑːrməsi/ noun medical

American: also called "drugstore". British: also called "chemist's".

  • a place where medicines are prepared and sold

    She picked up her prescription at the pharmacy.

pharmacy vs. drug store

A pharmacy is defined by dispensing medicine; a drug store is a type of shop (American) that contains one but sells much more.

pharmacy
The place (or counter) where a licensed pharmacist prepares and dispenses prescription medicines. British English often calls this a 'chemist'.
drug store
(American) a retail shop built around a pharmacy counter but also selling toiletries, cosmetics, snacks, greeting cards, and sundries. Usually written 'drugstore'.
  • Every drug store has a pharmacy; not every pharmacy is a full drug store (e.g. a hospital or supermarket pharmacy).
  • BrE: chemist (shop) / pharmacist (person).
#8650

cream

cream
cream
cream /kriːm/ uncountable noun medical

  • a thick smooth substance applied to the skin for medicinal or cosmetic purposes

    He rubbed cream into the dry patch on his elbow.

balm vs. cream vs. ointment

All three are substances applied to the skin, but they differ mainly in oil-to-water ratio and consistency: balm is often solid or waxy, cream is a light oil-water emulsion, and ointment is thick, oily, and nearly water-free.

balm
Often semi-solid or waxy (like lip balm), made mostly of oils, waxes, and fragrant plant extracts; associated with soothing rather than strict medical treatment.
cream
A light, spreadable emulsion of oil and water in roughly equal parts; absorbs into skin quickly without a heavy residue - the most common everyday moisturizer or medicine base.
ointment
Thick, greasy, and almost entirely oil-based with very little or no water; sits on top of the skin rather than absorbing, forming a protective layer - used when maximum moisture-sealing or medication contact time matters, as in wound care.
  • Rule of thumb by feel: ointment is the greasiest and most occlusive, cream is in between, balm is often solid until warmed by the skin.
  • In pharmacy, ointment specifically implies very low water content, which is why it feels heaviest and most protective.
  • A lotion is even thinner and more watery than a cream; a balm the thickest/waxiest.
#8649

ointment

ointment
ointment
ointment /ˈɔɪntmənt/ countable noun medical

"A fly in the ointment": small problem spoiling something good. Distinct from "cream" (lighter) and "lotion" (more liquid).

  • a smooth oily substance rubbed on the skin

    Apply the ointment twice a day.

balm vs. cream vs. ointment

All three are substances applied to the skin, but they differ mainly in oil-to-water ratio and consistency: balm is often solid or waxy, cream is a light oil-water emulsion, and ointment is thick, oily, and nearly water-free.

balm
Often semi-solid or waxy (like lip balm), made mostly of oils, waxes, and fragrant plant extracts; associated with soothing rather than strict medical treatment.
cream
A light, spreadable emulsion of oil and water in roughly equal parts; absorbs into skin quickly without a heavy residue - the most common everyday moisturizer or medicine base.
ointment
Thick, greasy, and almost entirely oil-based with very little or no water; sits on top of the skin rather than absorbing, forming a protective layer - used when maximum moisture-sealing or medication contact time matters, as in wound care.
  • Rule of thumb by feel: ointment is the greasiest and most occlusive, cream is in between, balm is often solid until warmed by the skin.
  • In pharmacy, ointment specifically implies very low water content, which is why it feels heaviest and most protective.
  • A lotion is even thinner and more watery than a cream; a balm the thickest/waxiest.
#8648

myopia [family]

myopia /maɪˈoʊpiə/ uncountable noun medical

Also called nearsightedness or shortsightedness. The opposite is hyperopia (farsightedness).

  1. nearsightedness; an inability to see distant objects clearly

    He developed myopia in childhood.

  2. (figurative) lack of foresight or long-term thinking

    The plan suffers from political myopia.

#8645

ibuprofen

ibuprofen
ibuprofen
ibuprofen /aɪˈbjuːproʊfən/ uncountable noun medical

Brand names: Advil, Motrin (US), Nurofen (UK/AU). An NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Contrast acetaminophen (Tylenol), which reduces pain/fever but is not anti-inflammatory.

  • a widely used painkiller and anti-inflammatory drug

    Take ibuprofen with food to avoid stomach irritation.

#8639

hyper [family]

hypertension /ˌhaɪpɚˈtenʃən/ uncountable noun medical

Medical term for high blood pressure. Major risk factor for stroke and heart disease.

  • abnormally high blood pressure

    He's on medication for hypertension.

hyperglycemia /ˌhaɪpɚɡlaɪˈsiːmiə/ uncountable noun medical

hyper- (over) + glyc- (sugar) + -emia (blood). Opposite: hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

  • an abnormally high level of glucose in the blood, as in uncontrolled diabetes

    Skipping insulin can trigger dangerous hyperglycemia.

#8635

drugstore

drugstore /ˈdrʌɡstɔːr/ countable noun medical

Also written "drug store". British: chemist.

  • (American) a shop selling medicines along with toiletries, snacks, and other sundries

    I grabbed aspirin and a magazine at the drugstore.

pharmacy vs. drug store

A pharmacy is defined by dispensing medicine; a drug store is a type of shop (American) that contains one but sells much more.

pharmacy
The place (or counter) where a licensed pharmacist prepares and dispenses prescription medicines. British English often calls this a 'chemist'.
drug store
(American) a retail shop built around a pharmacy counter but also selling toiletries, cosmetics, snacks, greeting cards, and sundries. Usually written 'drugstore'.
  • Every drug store has a pharmacy; not every pharmacy is a full drug store (e.g. a hospital or supermarket pharmacy).
  • BrE: chemist (shop) / pharmacist (person).
#8634

cough syrup

cough syrup /ˈkɔːf ˌsɪrəp/ uncountable noun medical

British also: cough mixture / linctus.

  • a thick, sweet liquid medicine taken to relieve coughing

    Take a spoonful of cough syrup before bed.

#8627

forceps / tongs [group]

forceps
forceps
forceps /ˈfɔːrseps/ countable noun medical

Same form singular and plural. From Latin "forceps" (a pair of tongs). Medical use: surgery, dentistry, childbirth delivery.

  • medical pincers for gripping

    The surgeon used forceps.

#8609

scalpel

scalpel /ˈskælpəl/ countable noun medical

  • a small, extremely sharp knife used in surgery and dissection

    The surgeon held out a hand for the scalpel.

#8501

presbyopia [family]

presbyopia /ˌprezbiˈoʊpiə/ uncountable noun medical

From Greek presbys (old) + ops (eye). The normal age-related loss of near-focusing ability, usually becoming noticeable in the 40s, distinct from the separate condition hyperopia (farsightedness from birth).

  • the gradual, age-related loss of the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects

    By her mid-forties, presbyopia meant she needed reading glasses.

#8378

pyorrhea

pyorrhea
pyorrhea
pyorrhea /ˌpaɪəˈriːə/ uncountable noun medical

British spelling: pyorrhoea. A severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) involving pus.

  • a dental condition involving inflammation and pus discharge around the teeth and gums

    Untreated gum disease can progress to pyorrhea.

#8376

cataract

cataract
cataract
cataract /ˈkætəˌrækt/ countable noun medical

Two unrelated senses sharing the same spelling.

  1. (medical) a clouding of the lens of the eye, causing blurry vision; common in older adults

    She had cataract surgery to restore her vision.

  2. (formal/literary) a large waterfall or violent rush of water

    The cataract roared over the cliff edge.

#8375

pneumonia

pneumonia
pneumonia
pneumonia /nuːˈmoʊniə/ uncountable noun medical

Note: silent "p". From Greek pneumon ("lung").

  • a serious lung infection in which the alveoli fill with fluid or pus

    He was hospitalized with pneumonia.

#8339

arthritis [family]

arthritis
arthritis
arthritis /ɑːrˈθraɪtɪs/ uncountable noun medical

  • a medical condition that causes painful, stiff, or swollen joints

    Arthritis made it hard for him to grip the pen.

#8338

tonsils [family]

tonsillitis /ˌtɑːnsəˈlaɪtɪs/ uncountable noun medical

  • inflammation of the tonsils

    He was diagnosed with tonsillitis and prescribed antibiotics.

#8337

eczema

eczema
eczema
eczema /ˈeksəmə/ uncountable noun medical

Also called atopic dermatitis. Often a chronic, recurring condition.

  • a skin condition in which patches of skin become rough, inflamed, and itchy

    She has had eczema since childhood.

#8336

jaundice

jaundice /ˈdʒɔːndɪs/ uncountable noun medical

Caused by a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. Common and usually harmless in newborns; in adults it often signals liver or gallbladder problems.

  • a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood

    The newborn was treated with light therapy for jaundice.

#8335

typhoid

typhoid /ˈtaɪfɔɪd/ uncountable noun medical

Full name: typhoid fever. Caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, usually spread through contaminated food or water. "Typhoid Mary" was an early 20th-century asymptomatic carrier who infected dozens of people.

  • a serious bacterial infection causing high fever, weakness, and stomach pain, spread through contaminated food or water

    He was vaccinated against typhoid before traveling.

#8334

diabetes

diabetes
diabetes
diabetes /ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz/ uncountable noun medical

  • a disease in which the body's ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired

    He was diagnosed with diabetes.

#7741

cardiac [family]

cardiac /ˈkɑːrdiæk/ adjective medical

From Greek kardia (heart). Same root as "cardio" (cardiovascular exercise).

  • relating to the heart

    He suffered cardiac problems.

cardiac arrest /ˈkɑːrdiæk əˈrest/ countable noun medical

Different from a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Cardiac arrest = heart stops beating; heart attack = blocked blood flow to heart muscle.

  • the sudden stopping of the heart

    He died of cardiac arrest.

cardiology /ˌkɑːrdiˈɑːlədʒi/ uncountable noun medical

  • the branch of medicine that deals with the heart

    She specialized in cardiology.

cardiologist /ˌkɑːrdiˈɑːlədʒɪst/ countable noun medical

  • a heart specialist

    The cardiologist recommended bypass surgery.

cardiovascular /ˌkɑːrdioʊˈvæskjəlɚ/ adjective medical

"Cardiovascular disease" (CVD): leading cause of death worldwide. "Cardio" exercise (running, cycling, swimming) strengthens the cardiovascular system.

  • relating to the heart and blood vessels

    Cardiovascular exercise is important for health.

cardio /ˈkɑːrdioʊ/ uncountable noun medical

Short for cardiovascular exercise. Also used as a prefix meaning 'heart' (cardiopulmonary, cardiomyopathy).

  • (informal) exercise that raises the heart rate, such as running, cycling, or swimming

    I do thirty minutes of cardio every morning.

#7740

inflame / inflamed [family]

inflamed /ɪnˈfleɪmd/ adjective medical

  • red, swollen, and painful; emotionally stirred up

    The wound looked inflamed.

inflammation /ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/ noun medical

  • a localized condition in which part of the body becomes red, swollen, hot, and often painful

    The cream reduces inflammation.

#7739

aspirin

aspirin
aspirin
aspirin /ˈæspɚɪn/ noun medical

Originally a Bayer trademark. Unrelated etymologically to "aspire".

  • a common drug used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation

    He took two aspirin for his headache.

#7738

acetaminophen [group]

acetaminophen
acetaminophen
acetaminophen /əˌsiːtəˈmɪnəfən/ uncountable noun medical

The standard American English name. Brand name: Tylenol (US). Reduces pain and fever but is NOT anti-inflammatory (unlike ibuprofen or aspirin).

  • a common drug used to relieve pain and reduce fever

    The doctor recommended acetaminophen for the child's fever.

paracetamol /ˌpærəˈsiːtəmɔːl/ uncountable noun medical

The standard name outside the US (UK, Australia, most of the world). Brand names: Panadol, Calpol. Same drug as acetaminophen.

  • (chiefly British) a common drug used to relieve pain and reduce fever; acetaminophen

    She took two paracetamol for her headache.

#7737

histamine [family]

histamine /ˈhɪstəmiːn/ uncountable noun medical

Released by body cells during allergic reactions.

  • a chemical released by body cells during allergic reactions, causing itching, swelling, and inflammation

    Histamine causes the runny nose and itchy eyes of hay fever.

antihistamine /ˌæntiˈhɪstəmiːn/ countable noun medical

'anti-' + histamine.

  • a drug that counteracts the effects of histamine, used to treat allergies

    She took an antihistamine for her hay fever.

#7690

pill

pill
pill
pill /pɪl/ countable noun medical

"The pill" = oral contraceptive. "Bitter pill to swallow" = unpleasant fact to accept. "Take a chill pill": relax (slang).

  • a small round mass of medicine to be swallowed

    Take two pills with water.

pill vs. tablet

Both refer to a small solid dose of medicine, and in everyday speech they are nearly interchangeable. The difference is mainly one of shape and formality.

pill
The everyday, informal word. Traditionally implies a small round shape (from Latin pila, 'ball'). Also used in fixed phrases: 'the pill' (oral contraceptive), 'a bitter pill to swallow', 'take a chill pill'.
tablet
Slightly more formal/technical. Originally meant a flat slab (stone tablet), and the medicine sense keeps that flat, compressed shape. Also the standard word for a touchscreen device (iPad-style). In British English, tablet is the default word where Americans might say pill.
  • Pharmacists and doctors tend to say tablet (precise, shape-specific); patients tend to say pill (casual, shape-agnostic).
  • Capsule is a third option: a two-piece gelatin shell filled with powder or liquid, distinct from both pill and tablet.
#7684

balm [family]

balm
balm
balm /bɑːm/ noun medical

  • a fragrant ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin

    Lip balm.

balm vs. cream vs. ointment

All three are substances applied to the skin, but they differ mainly in oil-to-water ratio and consistency: balm is often solid or waxy, cream is a light oil-water emulsion, and ointment is thick, oily, and nearly water-free.

balm
Often semi-solid or waxy (like lip balm), made mostly of oils, waxes, and fragrant plant extracts; associated with soothing rather than strict medical treatment.
cream
A light, spreadable emulsion of oil and water in roughly equal parts; absorbs into skin quickly without a heavy residue - the most common everyday moisturizer or medicine base.
ointment
Thick, greasy, and almost entirely oil-based with very little or no water; sits on top of the skin rather than absorbing, forming a protective layer - used when maximum moisture-sealing or medication contact time matters, as in wound care.
  • Rule of thumb by feel: ointment is the greasiest and most occlusive, cream is in between, balm is often solid until warmed by the skin.
  • In pharmacy, ointment specifically implies very low water content, which is why it feels heaviest and most protective.
  • A lotion is even thinner and more watery than a cream; a balm the thickest/waxiest.
#7635

eye drops

eye drops
eye drops
eye drops /ˈaɪ drɑːps/ plural noun medical

  • a liquid medicine applied to the eyes from a dropper

    The doctor prescribed eye drops for her allergies.

#7631

suppository

suppository /səˈpɑːzətɔːri/ countable noun medical

A solid form of medication designed to melt at body temperature. Routes: rectal (most common), vaginal, or urethral.

  • a small solid piece of medication designed to be inserted into the body, where it dissolves

    The doctor prescribed a suppository for the child's fever.

#7431

stethoscope

stethoscope
stethoscope
stethoscope /ˈsteθəˌskoʊp/ countable noun medical

  • a medical instrument used to listen to sounds inside the body, especially the heart and lungs

    The doctor placed the stethoscope on his chest.

#7430

thermometer

thermometer
thermometer
thermometer /θɚˈmɑːmətɚ/ countable noun medical

From Greek thermos ("hot") + metron ("measure"). Mercury thermometers are being phased out due to mercury toxicity.

  • an instrument for measuring temperature

    The thermometer read 98.6°F.

#7429

ultrasound

ultrasound
ultrasound
ultrasound /ˈʌltrəˌsaʊnd/ uncountable noun medical

  • a medical scan that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image of internal body structures

    The doctor scheduled an ultrasound to check the baby's growth.

#7427

syringe

syringe
syringe
syringe /səˈrɪndʒ/ countable noun medical

  • a tube with a needle or nozzle used to inject or draw liquid

    The nurse filled the syringe with vaccine.

#7426

inhale / exhale [family]

inhaler
inhaler
inhaler /ɪnˈheɪlɚ/ countable noun medical

  • a small device for breathing medicine into the lungs

    She keeps an inhaler in her backpack.

#7425

Band-Aid

Band-Aid
Band-Aid
Band-Aid /ˈbændeɪd/ countable noun medical

A trademark (now genericized) for an adhesive bandage. British: 'plaster'.

  • a small adhesive bandage for covering minor wounds

    She put a Band-Aid on the paper cut.

#7402

capsule

capsule
capsule
capsule /ˈkæpsəl/ countable noun medical

  • a small soluble case containing a dose of medicine

    Take one capsule twice daily.

#7400

injection

injection
injection
injection /ɪnˈdʒekʃən/ countable noun medical

  • the act of forcing a liquid, especially a drug, into the body with a syringe

    The nurse gave him an injection in the arm.

#5449

gauze

gauze /ɡɔːz/ uncountable noun medical

Possibly named after Gaza, where the fabric was once produced.

  • a thin transparent fabric of cotton, silk, or other material, used for dressing wounds or in surgery

    The nurse covered the wound with gauze.

#5433

crutch

crutch
crutch
crutch /krʌtʃ/ countable noun medical

  • a long stick with a crosspiece at the top, used as a support under the armpit by a person with an injured leg

    He used crutches after his knee surgery.

#3691

bandage

bandage
bandage
bandage /ˈbændɪdʒ/ countable noun medical

"Band-Aid": generic term for adhesive bandage (originally a brand name). "Bandage" is the strip used to wrap a wound.

  • a strip of material used to bind a wound

    The nurse applied a bandage to his arm.

#2168

prosthesis [family]

prosthesis
prosthesis
prosthesis /prɑːsˈθiːsɪs/ countable noun medical

  • an artificial body part

    The new prosthesis helped him walk comfortably.

prosthetic /prɑːsˈθetɪk/ countable noun medical

  • an artificial replacement body part

    The athlete runs with a carbon-fiber prosthetic.