placebo
noun
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Doctors doing research on new treatments for disease often give one group a placebo while a second group takes the new medication. Since those in the placebo group usually believe they're getting the real thing, their own hopeful attitude may bring about improvement in their condition. Thus, for the real drug to be considered effective, it must produce even better results than the placebo. Placebos have another use as well. A doctor who suspects that a patient's physical symptoms are psychologically produced may prescribe a placebo in the hope that mentally produced symptoms can also be mentally cured.
Examples of placebo in a Sentence
Ashley Wong, Health, 2 Jan. 2025
Some research found no benefit of C. asiatica on cognitive function compared to a placebo (an ineffective substance given to trial participants in a control group).
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 19 Dec. 2024
Specifically, consuming 2,000 IU (international units) a day of supplemental vitamin D3 without calcium over the course of more than five years did not reduce total fractures, hip, wrist or pelvic fractures when compared with taking a daily placebo, according to the study.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Specifically, 47% of those who received the drug, compared to 29% who were given a placebo, showed no signs of cognitive decline after one year of treatment.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Placebo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placebo. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
placebo
noun
from Latin placebo "I shall please"
Medical Definition
placebo
noun
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