Pill Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pill

[pɪl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medicine

A small round mass of solid medicine to be swallowed whole

Synonyms

capsule, medication, tablet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pill	Commonly used to refer to any small, rounded, and solid form of medicine taken orally. Take one pill daily after meals
tablet	Used to describe a small, solid dose of medicine in a flat, often disc-shaped form, made by compressing the ingredients. Break the tablet in half and take it with water
capsule	Typically refers to medicine enclosed in a gelatin shell, which can be easier to swallow and can contain liquid or powder. The doctor prescribed me a capsule for my cough
medication	A general term encompassing all forms and types of medicine, including pills, capsules, liquids, and injections. It is used in both formal and informal medical contexts. She takes medication for her diabetes

Examples of usage

She took a pill for her headache.
He forgot to take his daily pills.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

contraception

A contraceptive pill taken orally to prevent pregnancy

Synonyms

birth control pill, contraceptive, oral contraceptive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pill	Generally used to refer to any small, solid medical dosage form that is intended to be swallowed. He took a pill for his headache. She forgot to take her vitamin pill this morning.
birth control pill	Specifically used to refer to a pill containing hormones that is taken by women to prevent pregnancy. She started taking the birth control pill last month. The doctor recommended a different brand of birth control pill.
contraceptive	A broad term used to refer to any device, drug, or method used to prevent pregnancy. It can include pills, but also refers to other methods such as condoms or IUDs. They discussed different types of contraceptives during the health class. She prefers using non-hormonal contraceptives.
oral contraceptive	A medical term used to specifically refer to birth control pills that are taken by mouth. The gynecologist prescribed an oral contraceptive for her. Some women experience side effects from using oral contraceptives.

Examples of usage

She is on the pill.
The doctor prescribed birth control pills.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

informal

Something unpleasant or difficult to deal with

Synonyms

burden, challenge, hardship.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pill	Used metaphorically to describe something unpleasant or difficult to accept or deal with. The news about the layoffs was a tough pill to swallow.
burden	Refers to something heavy or difficult to carry, either physically or emotionally. Taking care of a sick relative can be a significant burden. He struggled with the burden of his financial debts.
hardship	Describes severe suffering or difficult conditions, usually extended over a period of time. They faced many hardships during the war. Economic hardships have hit many families in the area.
challenge	Indicates a task or problem that tests someone's abilities, often seen positively as an opportunity for growth. The project was a big challenge but also very rewarding. He's always looking for new challenges at work.

Examples of usage

Swallowing the truth was a bitter pill to swallow.
Losing the game was a hard pill to swallow.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'pill'

The word 'pill' originated from Middle English 'pilule', from Latin 'pilula' meaning 'little ball', diminutive of 'pila' meaning 'ball'. The use of pills as a form of medicine dates back to ancient times, with different cultures using various ingredients to create medicinal pills. In modern times, pills have become a common form of medication delivery for a wide range of health conditions.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,837, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11834 chariot
11835 stacks
11836 liquidated
11837 pill
11838 acutely
11839 embroidered
11840 femoral
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