Prescription Noun - Definition, Pictures, Pronunciation And Usage Notes

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Definition of prescription noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

prescription noun   /prɪˈskrɪpʃn/  /prɪˈskrɪpʃn/ jump to other results

1.  [countable] an official piece of paper on which a doctor writes the type of medicine you should have, and which enables you to get it from a chemist's
   • prescription for something The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics.
   • on prescription (British English) Antibiotics are only available on prescription.
   • by prescription (North American English) Antibiotics are only available by prescription.
   • They are not available without a prescription.
   • prescription drugs/medication(s)
   Extra Examples
   • I just get a repeat prescription every week.
   • She scribbled on her prescription pad and handed me a sheet.
   • the usual prescription for asthma
   • the rising rate of drug prescriptions for emotional and psychological complaints
   Topics Healthcarec1Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
   • medical
   • free
   • repeat
   • …
   verb + prescription
   • give somebody
   • write
   • write out
   • …
   prescription + noun
   • charges
   • cost
   • benefit
   • …
   preposition
   • by prescription
   • on prescription
   • without (a) prescription
   • …
   See full entry

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2.  [countable] medicine that your doctor has ordered for you
   • The pharmacist will make up your prescription.
   Extra Examples
   • Physicians often underestimate retail prescription costs.
   • The drug will be covered by Medicare's new prescription benefit.
   • The pharmacist dispenses prescriptions for antidepressants.
   • You are entitled to free prescriptions.
   Topics Healthcarec1Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
   • medical
   • free
   • repeat
   • …
   verb + prescription
   • give somebody
   • write
   • write out
   • …
   prescription + noun
   • charges
   • cost
   • benefit
   • …
   preposition
   • by prescription
   • on prescription
   • without (a) prescription
   • …
   See full entry
3. [uncountable] the act of prescribing medicine
   • The prescription of drugs is a doctor's responsibility.
4. [countable] prescription (for something) (formal) a plan or a suggestion for making something happen or for improving it
   • a prescription for happiness
   • Both parties will be outlining their prescription for economic recovery.
Word Originlate Middle English (as a legal term): via Old French from Latin praescriptio(n-), from the verb praescribere ‘direct in writing’, from prae ‘before’ + scribere ‘write’. Senses (1) to (3) date from the late 16th cent.

See prescription in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee prescription in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic EnglishCheck pronunciation: prescription

Other results

All matches

• non-prescription adjective
• prescription charge noun

Nearby words

• prescind verb
• prescribe verb
• prescription noun
• prescription charge noun
• prescriptive adjective

solution noun From the Word list OPAL spoken words Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day