Pill, Drug, and Medicine
2021-11-06
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1Hello! Welcome to Ask a Teacher!
2This week we answer a question from Zafer in Turkey.
3Would you please explain the difference between pill, drug and medicine? Thanks in advance.
4Dear Zafer,
5Thank you for writing to us.
6These three words are most often used when we talk about health.
7Let us begin with the word "medicine."
8One meaning is "a substance or drug used to treat disease or pain."
9But it is also a general term that describes the science or study of treating or curing disease.
10Here is an example of that use:
11Alex went to the university to study medicine.
12Medication is another word you can use for medicine. They mean the same thing.
13An antiviral drug is the only government-approved medication for COVID-19.
14Both words are countable and non-countable nouns
15A pill is a small, rounded object that contains medicine.
16It is swallowed.
17Pill is a less general term than drug, medicine or medication.
18We can use it this way to talk about both vitamins and medications:
19Grandpa takes a lot of pills in the morning to stay healthy.
20Finally, we look at the word drug.
21A drug can be a substance in medicine.
22But drugs are also made, sold and bought for recreational use.
23Alcohol and marijuana are examples.
24Some drugs and medicines require a doctor's approval for use.
25Those are called "prescription drugs."
26I hope this helps you to understand how to use these words, Zafer.
27What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
28And that's Ask a Teacher.
29I'm Jill Robbins.
1Hello! Welcome to Ask a Teacher! This week we answer a question from Zafer in Turkey. 2Question: 3Would you please explain the difference between pill, drug and medicine? Thanks in advance. 4Zafer, Turkey 5Answer: 6Dear Zafer, 7Thank you for writing to us. These three words are most often used when we talk about health. 8Medicine 9Let us begin with the word "medicine." One meaning is "a substance or drug used to treat disease or pain." But it is also a general term that describes the science or study of treating or curing disease. Here is an example of that use: 10Alex went to the university to study medicine. 11Medication 12Medication is another word you can use for medicine. They mean the same thing. 13An antiviral drug is the only government-approved medication for COVID-19. 14Both words are countable and non-countable nouns 15Pill 16A pill is a small, rounded object that contains medicine. It is swallowed. Pill is a less general term than drug, medicine or medication. We can use it this way to talk about both vitamins and medications: 17Grandpa takes a lot of pills in the morning to stay healthy. 18Drug 19Finally, we look at the word drug. A drug can be a substance in medicine. But drugs are also made, sold and bought for recreational use. Alcohol and marijuana are examples. 20Some drugs and medicines require a doctor's approval for use. Those are called "prescription drugs." 21I hope this helps you to understand how to use these words, Zafer. 22What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com 23And that's Ask a Teacher. 24I'm Jill Robbins. 25Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 26_____________________________________________________________________ 27Words in This Story 28prescription - n. a written message from a doctor that officially tells someone to use a medicine, therapy, etc. 29Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.