prescribe

UK: /prɪˈskraɪb/ US: /prɪˈskraɪb/ ,(pri skrīb′)

Inflections of 'prescribe' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

prescribes

v 3rd person singular

prescribing

v pres p

prescribed

v past

prescribed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•scribe /prɪˈskraɪb/   v. [~ + object] , -scribed, -scrib•ing. 

1. to order as a rule or course of action to be followed:
   the punishment that the law prescribes.
2. Medicine to name or order the use of (a medicine, etc.):
   The doctor prescribed some pain pills.

See -scrib-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•scribe  (pri skrīb′), v., -scribed, -scrib•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to lay down, in writing or otherwise, as a rule or a course of action to be followed;
   appoint, ordain, or enjoin.
2. Medicine to designate or order the use of (a medicine, remedy, treatment, etc.).

v.i. 

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

• Latin praescrībere to direct in writing, literally, to write before or above, equivalent. to prae- pre- + scrībere to write; see scribe¹, prescription
• late Middle English 1425–75

pre•scrib′a•ble, adj. 
pre•scrib′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. direct, dictate, decree.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

prescribe / prɪˈskraɪb/ verb

1. to lay down as a rule or directive
2. to recommend or order the use of (a drug or other remedy)

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin praescrībere to write previously, from prae before + scrībere to write

preˈscriber noun