English · Word Candidate

prescription

/pɹəˈskɹɪp.ʃən/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: prescriptions

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A written order from an authorized medical practitioner for provision of a medicine or other treatment, such as (ophthalmology) the specific lenses needed for a pair of glasses.

Noun

Examples

The surgeon had written thousands of prescriptions for pain killers without proper examinations before the police raided the clinic.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The medicine or treatment provided by such an order.

Noun

Examples

I need you to pick up gramma's prescriptions on your way home.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “prescription” mean?

A written order from an authorized medical practitioner for provision of a medicine or other treatment, such as (ophthalmology) the specific lenses needed for a pair of glasses.

Is “prescription” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.