pharmacokinetics

noun

phar·​ma·​co·​ki·​net·​ics ˌfär-mə-kō-kə-ˈne-tiks How to pronounce pharmacokinetics (audio)
-kō-kī-
plural in form but singular in construction
1
: the study of the bodily absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs
2
: the characteristic interactions of a drug and the body in terms of its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
pharmacokinetic adjective

Examples of pharmacokinetics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The lab, Inotiv, offers testing for drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, which refers to the movement of drugs within the body. Claire Rafford, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pharmacokinetics was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near pharmacokinetics

Cite this Entry

“Pharmacokinetics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharmacokinetics. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

pharmacokinetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction
phar·​ma·​co·​ki·​net·​ics -kō-kə-ˈnet-iks, -kō-kī- How to pronounce pharmacokinetics (audio)
1
: the study of the bodily absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs
2
: the characteristic interactions of a drug and the body in terms of its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
evaluated the pharmacokinetics of a single theophylline doseThe Journal of the American Medical Association
pharmacokinetic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on pharmacokinetics

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!