medication
gb/mˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən/ us/mˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 4700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Medicine for treating illness
A substance you take to make an illness better or to stop you from getting sick.
Usage pattern:
to take [medication] for [illness]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'medication' with 'meditation' due to similar spelling and pronunciation.
Synonyms
medicine (Most common general term; interchangeable in everyday use.)
|
drug (Broad term that can include illegal substances; in medical contexts means a chemical used for treatment.)
Antonyms
placebo (An inactive substance given in place of real medication for testing or psychological effect.)
Collocations
take medication
|prescribe medication
|stop medication
|over-the-counter medication
|medication dosage
Themes
health
|medicine
|daily life
Examples
- The doctor prescribed new medication for her allergies.
- You should always take your medication with food.
- He forgot to bring his heart medication on the trip.
- This medication may cause drowsiness.
- She is on medication for high blood pressure.
Learner examples
- I take medication every morning.
- This medication helps my cough.
- He needs his medication now.
- She takes medication for pain.
Noun
technical
B2
action
2
Treatment using drugs
The act of giving medicine to someone to help them get better.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is under [medication] for [condition]
Synonyms
drug therapy (More formal and technical term used in healthcare.)
Collocations
under medication
|course of medication
|respond to medication
Themes
health
|medicine
Examples
- The patient is currently under medication for depression.
- Medication of the wound continued for several weeks.
- Some conditions require long-term medication.
Learner examples
- He is under medication for his back pain.
- The doctor started her on new medication.
- Long-term medication is needed for this illness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
medication
IPA
GB/mˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən/
US/mˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
med - ic - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: medication
- Plural: medication, medications
Word family
Expressions
on medication
1/ˈɔn mˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Currently taking medicine
Taking medicine regularly, usually prescribed by a doctor.
Examples
- She has been on medication since her surgery.
- I’m on medication for my asthma.
prescribe medication
1/pɹəskɹˈaɪb mˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Authorize use of medicine
When a doctor writes an order saying you should take a certain medicine.
Examples
- The clinic can prescribe medication for minor illnesses.
- She was prescribed medication to lower her blood pressure.
take medication
1/tˈeɪk mˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Consume prescribed medicine
To use medicine by swallowing it, injecting it, or using it in another way as told by a doctor.
Examples
- You must take your medication twice a day.
- He refuses to take his medication despite the doctor's advice.