Hello! Welcome to Ask a Teacher! This week we answer a question from Zafer in Turkey.

Question:

Would you please explain the difference between pill, drug and medicine? Thanks in advance.

Zafer, Turkey

Answer:

Dear Zafer,

Thank you for writing to us. These three words are most often used when we talk about health.

Medicine

In this Oct. 9, 2020, file photo, a health worker, right, administers the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine currently on phase III clinical trials to Cem Gun, an emergency medicine physician at the Acibadem Hospital in Istanbul.(AP Photo/Emrah Gurel, File

Let 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:

Alex went to the university to study medicine.

Medication

Medication is another word you can use for medicine. They mean the same thing.

An antiviral drug is the only government-approved medication for COVID-19.

Both words are countable and non-countable nouns.

Pill

A 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:

Grandpa takes a lot of pills in the morning to stay healthy.

Drug

Finally, 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.

Some drugs and medicines require a doctor's approval for use. Those are called "prescription drugs."

I hope this helps you to understand how to use these words, Zafer.

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I'm Jill Robbins.

Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

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Words in This Story

prescription – n. a written message from a doctor that officially tells someone to use a medicine, therapy, etc.

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