the type of medical treatment that is the most popular in North America and Western European countries, based on the use of drugs and surgery to treat symptoms (=signs of illness). In such countries, other types of medical treatment are called alternative medicine or complementary medicine.
Synonyms and related words
Medical and health treatments
acupressure
acupuncture
aftercare
western medicine
noun uncountable
US
DEFINITIONS1
1
the type of medical treatment that is the most popular in North America and Western European countries, based on the use of drugs and surgery to treat symptoms (=signs of illness). In such countries, other types of medical treatment are called alternative medicine or complementary medicine.