prescribe

4 definitions • 8 examples

(of a doctor) to say what medical treatment someone should have:

The drug is often prescribed for ulcers.

[ + two objects ] I've been prescribed painkillers.

to tell someone what they must have or do, or to make a rule of something:

Penalties for not paying taxes are prescribed by law.

[ + that ] The law prescribes that all children must go to school.

[ + question word ] Grammatical rules prescribe how words may be used together.

to order treatment for someone, or to say what someone should do or use to treat an illness or injury:

Many doctors prescribe aspirin to forestall second heart attacks.

My doctor prescribed rest and gave me a painkiller for my knee.

to tell someone what he or she must have or do, or to give as a rule:

A secretary of education cannot and should not prescribe the curriculum of the nation’s colleges.