A prescription is a written order from a doctor or other healthcare provider that authorizes a patient to receive a specific medicine. When you're sick and need antibiotics, your doctor writes a prescription that you take to a pharmacy, where a pharmacist prepares the medication and explains how to take it. The prescription includes important details: which medicine you need, how much to take, how often to take it, and for how long.

Prescriptions exist for safety. Many medicines are powerful and can be dangerous if used incorrectly, so doctors must evaluate whether a patient actually needs them. A pharmacist won't give you prescription medication without that doctor's order. Some medicines, like cough syrup or pain relievers, are available over the counter, meaning you can buy them without a prescription because they're considered safe for people to use on their own.

The word also means a recommended solution to a problem. A coach might offer a prescription for improving your basketball skills: practice free throws for twenty minutes daily, work on footwork, and watch how professional players position themselves. In this sense, a prescription is a specific plan designed to fix something or make it better.