Synonyms

prescribe

American

[pri-skrahyb] / prɪˈskraɪb /

verb (used with object)

to lay down, in writing or otherwise, as a rule or a course of action to be followed; appoint, ordain, or enjoin.

Synonyms:

decree, dictate, direct
Medicine/Medical. to designate or order the use of (a medicine, remedy, treatment, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to lay down rules; direct; dictate.
Medicine/Medical. to designate remedies, treatment, etc., to be used.
Law. to claim a right or title by virtue of long use and enjoyment; make a prescriptive claim. (usually followed by for orto ).

prescribe British

/ prɪˈskraɪb /

verb

to lay down as a rule or directive
law to claim or acquire (a right, title, etc) by prescription
law to make or become invalid or unenforceable by lapse of time
med to recommend or order the use of (a drug or other remedy)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of prescribe

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English from Latin praescrībere “to direct in writing,” literally, “to write before or above,” equivalent to prae- pre- + scrībere “to write”; see scribe ¹, prescription

Explanation

To prescribe is make orders or give directions for something to be done. These days, the word is mainly used by doctors who prescribe medications to take. Doctors do a lot of prescribing: they prescribe drugs, rest, exercise, and getting rid of bad habits like smoking. When a doctor prescribes something, he or she is saying, "You need to do this. You should do it." That's the most common use of prescribe, but it pops up anywhere someone is advising or ordering someone to do something. All laws and rules prescribe things — they tell you what to do.

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Vocabulary lists containing prescribe

Vocabulary from the Constitution of the United States

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"Preamble" and "Bill of Rights," Vocabulary from the U.S. Constitution

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Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789)

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As part of the Pharmacy First scheme, pharmacists can currently prescribe medication for a sore throat, earache, sinusitis, shingles, impetigo, infected bites and urinary tract infections.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

The motion capture system used to prescribe each person's walking change is expensive and time consuming.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

Those pills can be sent through the mail, and doctors can easily prescribe them on a video call, over the phone, or through digital forms.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

Becky Peterson graduated this month with a degree that paves the way for her to examine patients, prescribe medication and make diagnoses, just like a physician.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

You needed to be a psychiatrist to prescribe Prozac.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023