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clinical trial
noun
: a scientifically controlled study of the safety and effectiveness of a therapeutic agent (such as a drug or vaccine) using consenting human subjects
Examples of clinical trial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Last week, Eli Lilly announced positive results of its phase-3 clinical trials for its weekly insulin efsitora.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 22 May 2024
But researchers have found that many clinical trials exclude the people of color who are often most affected by the diseases that drugs treat.
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To help fix that problem, Congress passed a law requiring companies to give the FDA their plans for diversifying clinical trials.
—John Wilkerson Reprints, STAT, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for clinical trial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clinical trial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1946, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near clinical trial
Cite this Entry
“Clinical trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinical%20trial. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
Medical Definition
clinical trial
noun
: a scientifically controlled study of the safety and effectiveness of a therapeutic agent (as a drug or vaccine) using consenting human subjects
More from Merriam-Webster on clinical trial
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clinical trial
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