Skip to main content
preclinical trial

preclinical trial

6.0
A study on animals to see if a new drug works before testing in people
  • noun
  • /ˌpriːˈklɪnɪkəl traɪəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ensayo preclínico
  • Before any drug is tested on humans, it must go through preclinical trials to ensure it is safe for human use.

Examples

  • The next phase is mechanical testing, followed by preclinical trials, and then clinical trials, according to Humayun.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The researchers conducted a series of preclinical trials on rats to evaluate the safety of the new antibiotic.

  • Model 2, which has 60 to 100 electrodes, is being used in preclinical trials on blind does.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Chronotherapy was demonstrated in preclinical trials to improve the efficacy of therapies requiring smaller doses of therapeutics, with reduced adverse side effects.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The preclinical trial for the innovative cancer treatment showed promising results in reducing tumor growth in mice.

Synonyms

preclinical test
vspreclinical trial
  • Specialized
5.6

A lab test on animals to check a new drug or device before human trials

has identical meaning but is an alternative common term

How Advanced

phase II clinical trial
  • Specialized
4.2
preclinical trial
  • Specialized
6.0
in vitro
  • Specialized
37 5.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

preclinical + trial

The meaning is directly compositional: 'preclinical' (before clinical/human testing) combined with 'trial' (a testing process) yields a trial conducted prior to human clinical studies. The prefix 'pre-' and the noun 'trial' follow a common, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can readily infer this meaning.

Etymology

The term preclinical trial comes from its parts: pre means 'before', clinical is about tests with people, and trial is a 'test'. So a preclinical trial is a 'test' done before any testing on people, often in a lab or on animals.