prescribe
verb
pre·scribe
| \ pri-ˈskrīb
\
\
prescribed;
prescribing
Definition of prescribe
1
: to lay down a rule : dictate
2
[ Middle English, from Medieval Latin praescribere, from Latin, to write at the beginning ]
: to claim a title to something by right of prescription
3
: to write or give medical prescriptions
4
: to become by prescription invalid or unenforceable
1a
: to lay down as a guide, direction, or rule of action : ordain
b
: to specify with authority
2
: to designate or order the use of as a remedy
prescribed a painkiller a prescribed burn to restore natural forest conditions
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Examples of prescribe in a Sentence
This drug should not be prescribed to children.
a drug commonly prescribed to treat rashes
The doctor prescribed three months of physical therapy for my leg injury.
The law prescribes a prison sentence of at least five years for the crime.
The regulations prescribe that all employees must pass a physical examination.
We must follow the rules as prescribed by the government.
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Recent Examples on the Web
These necessary drugs are prescribed by doctors to patients who need them. — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: There is no gray area in Stapleton name debate (8/30/19)," 1 Sep. 2019 Both are prescribed to treat pain but both can be abused to give users a high. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Where the Tyler Skaggs Investigation Could Go From Here," 30 Aug. 2019 Some lawmakers are pushing to weaken vital intellectual property protections for new medicines that improve health, reduce side effects and help patients take their medicines as prescribed. — Randall Rutta For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, "Lawmakers want to lower drug prices. Their plan would end up harming patients," 20 Aug. 2019 But even when a person takes the dose exactly as prescribed, dietary changes and interactions with other medications can change the INR dramatically. — Howard Lewine, sun-sentinel.com, "Stay on Coumadin or switch to a new blood thinner?," 14 Aug. 2019 What’s more, research has established that between 30 and 50 percent of medications for long-term conditions aren’t taken as prescribed. — Catherine Ryan Gregory, Marie Claire, "The Trip of a Lifetime," 9 July 2019 Identifying your triggers and taking your asthma medications as prescribed are key to preventing an asthma attack. — Froedtert & The Medical College Of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bronchial thermoplasty helps people with severe asthma breathe easier," 26 June 2019 Take your diabetes medication or insulin therapy as prescribed. — Korin Miller, SELF, "8 Ways to Better Control Your Type 2 Diabetes," 19 Apr. 2019 Vets will prescribe medicine to help manage the immediate pain. — Ilana Halperin, The Conversation, "Curious Kids: How are cats declawed, and is it painful?," 30 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prescribe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for prescribe
prescribe
verb
English Language Learners Definition of prescribe
: to officially tell someone to use (a medicine, therapy, diet, etc.) as a remedy or treatment
: to make (something) an official rule
See the full definition for prescribe in the English Language Learners Dictionary
prescribe
verb
pre·scribe
| \ pri-ˈskrīb
\
\
prescribed;
prescribing
Kids Definition of prescribe
1
: to order or direct the use of as a remedy
Did the doctor prescribe medicine?
2
: to lay down as a rule of action : order
School rules prescribe daily physical activity.
prescribe
verb
pre·scribe
| \ pri-ˈskrīb
\
\
prescribed;
prescribing
Medical Definition of prescribe
: to write or give medical prescriptions
: to designate or order the use of as a remedy
prescribe a drug
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