pharmacology

noun

phar·​ma·​col·​o·​gy ˌfär-mə-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce pharmacology (audio)
1
: the science of drugs including their origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and toxicology
2
: the properties and reactions of drugs especially with relation to their therapeutic value
pharmacological adjective
or less commonly pharmacologic
pharmacologically adverb
pharmacologist noun

Examples of pharmacology in a Sentence

We don't have a complete understanding of the new drug's pharmacology yet.
Recent Examples on the Web The drug label and pamphlet have rich information about the medication, according to Jamie Alan, PharmD, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2024 Meet the experts:Jamie Alan, Ph.D., is an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. Korin Miller, Women's Health, 6 Sep. 2023 While that is promising, David Kroll, professor of natural products pharmacology at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, said AJNA will have additional hurdles to clear with the agency. Christine Ricciardi, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2024 Struthers, who holds a doctorate in physiology and pharmacology from UC San Diego, had his first research job at Salk Institute studying somatastatin somatostatin, a short chain of amino acids called a peptide, that is key in regulating hormones. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023 The welding exercise took place Tuesday and was part of the Summer Workforce Academy, which exposes students to careers in nursing, automotive repair, electrical wiring, business, pharmacology, dentistry and drone piloting from July 11 to 27. Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2023 Here's what to know about the 'diet weed.' Dependence is a risk because kratom has opiate-like effects, said Dr. Alan Kaye, professor of anesthesiology and pharmacology at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 27 May 2023 Bill Sullivan is a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Indiana University. Bill Sullivan, CBS News, 25 Sep. 2023 Jamie DeWitt, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, told me. Kim Tingley, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pharmacology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pharmacology was in 1698

Dictionary Entries Near pharmacology

Cite this Entry

“Pharmacology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharmacology. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pharmacology

noun
phar·​ma·​col·​o·​gy ˌfär-mə-ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce pharmacology (audio)
1
: the study of drugs, their composition, effects, and use in medicine
2
: the properties and reactions of drugs especially with relation to their medical value
pharmacological adjective
also pharmacologic
pharmacologically adverb

Medical Definition

pharmacology

noun
phar·​ma·​col·​o·​gy ˌfär-mə-ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce pharmacology (audio)
plural pharmacologies
1
: the science of drugs including their origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and toxicology
2
: the properties and reactions of drugs especially with relation to their therapeutic value
pharmacological adjective
also pharmacologic
pharmacologically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pharmacology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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