Aspirin
//ˈæsp(ɪ)ɹɪn// name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 an analgesic drug, acetylsalicylic acid uncountable
- 2 the acetylated derivative of salicylic acid; used as an analgesic anti-inflammatory drug (trade names Bayer, Empirin, and St. Joseph) usually taken in tablet form; used as an antipyretic; slows clotting of the blood by poisoning platelets wordnet
- 3 a tablet containing this substance countable
""It nearly drove me insane. I took heaven alone knows how many aspirins.""
Proper Noun
- 1 A marketed variety of acetylsalicylic acid.
Example
More examples"When I have migraines, aspirin doesn't alleviate the pain for me."
Etymology
Etymology 1
Genericized trademark of German Aspirin, from acetylierte Spirsäure (literally “acetylated spiraeic acid”). The trade name Aspirin is a registered trademark in some countries, but has entered the English language in generic usage, as various German trademarks were nullified in the United States after World War I (see also heroin).
Etymology 2
From the German trademark Aspirin, from acetylierte Spirsäure (“acetylated spiræic acid”); more at aspirin § Etymology.
Related phrases
More for "aspirin"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.