panacea

UK: /ˌpænəˈsiːə/ US: /ˌpænəˈsiə/ ,(pan′ə sē′ə)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pan•a•ce•a /ˌpænəˈsiə/   n. [countable] , pl. -ce•as. 

1. something that can cure all ills;
   a cure-all.
2. a solution for all difficulties.

pan•a•ce•an, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pan•a•ce•a  (pan′ə sē′ə), n. 

1. a remedy for all disease or ills;
   cure-all.
2. an answer or solution for all problems or difficulties:
   His economic philosophy is a good one, but he tries to use it as a panacea.

• Greek panákeia, equivalent. to panake-, stem of panaké̄s all-healing (pan- pan- + aké̄s a cure) + -ia -ia
• Latin
• 1540–50

pan′a•ce′an, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. elixir, nostrum.

Pan•a•ce•a  (pan′ə sē′ə), n. 

1. Mythology an ancient Greek goddess of healing.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

panacea / ˌpænəˈsɪə/ noun

1. a remedy for all diseases or ills

Etymology: 16th Century: via Latin from Greek panakeia healing everything, from pan all + akos remedy

ˌpanaˈcean adjective