prescription

American  

[pri-skrip-shuhn] / prɪˈskrɪp ʃən /

noun

1. Medicine/Medical.

   1. a direction, usually written, by the physician to the pharmacist for the preparation and use of a medicine or remedy.

   2. the medicine prescribed.

      Take this prescription three times a day.

2. an act of prescribing.

3. that which is prescribed.

4. Law.

   1. Also called positive prescription.  a long or immemorial use of some right with respect to a thing so as to give a right to continue such use.

   2. Also called positive prescription.  the process of acquiring rights by uninterrupted assertion of the right over a long period of time.

   3. Also called negative prescription.  the loss of rights to legal remedy due to the limitation of time within which an action can be taken.

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adjective

1. (of drugs) sold only upon medical prescription; ethical.

prescription British  

/ prɪˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

1. 1. written instructions from a physician, dentist, etc, to a pharmacist stating the form, dosage strength, etc, of a drug to be issued to a specific patient

   2. the drug or remedy prescribed

2. (modifier) (of drugs) available legally only with a doctor's prescription

3. 1. written instructions from an optician specifying the lenses needed to correct defects of vision

   2. ( as modifier )

      prescription glasses

4. the act of prescribing

5. something that is prescribed

6. a long established custom or a claim based on one

7. law

   1. the uninterrupted possession of property over a stated period of time, after which a right or title is acquired ( positive prescription )

   2. the barring of adverse claims to property, etc, after a specified period of time has elapsed, allowing the possessor to acquire title ( negative prescription )

   3. the right or title acquired in either of these ways

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Etymology

Origin of prescription

1250–1300; Middle English < Medieval Latin praescrīptiōn- (stem of praescrīptiō ) legal possession (of property), law, order, literally, a writing before, hence, a heading on a document. See prescript, -ion

Example Sentences

The group brings an optometrist to campus, meaning kids who need an eye exam can get one the same day and go home having gotten a prescription and ordered glasses.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

On Tuesday, the company said it was expanding its range of smart glasses with two lines aimed at wearers of prescription lenses.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

The typical Truemed user is between 35 and 50 years old and is trying to address at least one chronic condition using lifestyle interventions like exercise before getting a prescription, Mares noted.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Written prescription fees from vets will be capped at £21 and practices will have to publish price lists for services, the UK's competition watchdog has said.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

I didn't find out about the bus rules until Grandma needed to get a medical prescription filled downtown one day and our car stalled out.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Related Words

• drug
• instruction
• recipe
• remedy