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

prescription

noun
 
 
/prɪˈskrɪpʃn/
 
/prɪˈskrɪpʃn/
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  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 Healthcarec1
    Oxford 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
  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 Healthcarec1
    Oxford 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.
    5. 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 English
Check pronunciation: prescription

Nearby words

given
adjective
 
 
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