thalidomide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Historical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “thalidomide” mean?
A sedative drug that, when taken by pregnant women in the late 1950s and early 1960s, was found to cause severe birth defects in children, particularly limb malformations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sedative drug that, when taken by pregnant women in the late 1950s and early 1960s, was found to cause severe birth defects in children, particularly limb malformations.
The drug is historically significant as a landmark case of medical tragedy and its legacy informs modern pharmaceutical regulation and drug safety testing. It is sometimes used metaphorically to refer to catastrophic medical or regulatory failures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The historical event and its impact were global.
Connotations
Universally negative, connoting tragedy, regulatory failure, and the dangers of insufficient drug testing.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in historical, medical, ethical, or regulatory discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “thalidomide” in a Sentence
N (as subject: Thalidomide caused defects)N + of (the legacy of thalidomide)Adj + N (the notorious thalidomide scandal)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in case studies on corporate ethics, liability, and crisis management.
Academic
Used in history of medicine, pharmacology, bioethics, law, and disability studies.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation; might be referenced in discussions about medical history or regulation.
Technical
Used in medical and pharmaceutical contexts discussing teratogens, drug safety protocols, and regulatory history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thalidomide”
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thalidomide”
- Misspelling: 'thalydomide', 'thalidimide'.
- Mispronouncing the first syllable as /tæ/ instead of /θə/.
- Using it as a verb or adjective (*to thalidomide, *thalidomidic).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but under extremely strict controls. It is used to treat certain cancers (like multiple myeloma) and complications of leprosy, with rigorous pregnancy prevention programmes in place.
The most characteristic defects were phocomelia (severe shortening or absence of limbs). It also caused defects of the eyes, ears, heart, kidneys, and digestive tract.
It is a pivotal case that exposed massive gaps in drug safety regulation, led to the establishment of rigorous testing protocols (especially for teratogenicity), and heightened awareness of corporate accountability.
It was never approved for market in the United States due to the caution of FDA reviewer Dr. Frances Kelsey. It was widely marketed and then withdrawn in many other countries, including the UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia.
A sedative drug that, when taken by pregnant women in the late 1950s and early 1960s, was found to cause severe birth defects in children, particularly limb malformations.
Thalidomide is usually formal, academic, historical, medical in register.
Thalidomide: in British English it is pronounced /θəˈlɪd.ə.maɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /θəˈlɪd.ə.maɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THALIDOMIDE' caused a 'TRAGEDY' for LIMBS. Both words share the 'LID' sound in the middle.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CAUTIONARY TALE IS THALIDOMIDE (It serves as a metaphorical benchmark for failure and warning).
Practice
Quiz
What is thalidomide primarily known for?