expectorant
noun
ex·pec·to·rant
ik-ˈspek-t(ə-)rənt 
: an agent that promotes the discharge or expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract
broadly
: an antitussive agent
expectorant
adjective
Examples of expectorant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Manage a dry cough with OTC expectorants or suppressants with dextromethorphan.
—
Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Antidiarrheals, decongestants, antihistamines, nasal sprays, and expectorants, for example, can come with some possible risks.
—Sarah Bradley, Parents, 22 July 2024
There were antibiotics to knock out the sinusitis, a high-dose course of prednisone, an expectorant to help drain the mush out of my face and famotidine to prevent any reflux from further irritating the vocal anatomy.
—Dessa Dessa Tanya Pérez Alec K. Redfearn, New York Times, 12 June 2024
This category includes drugs advertised as cough suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan, which is supposed to lower the frequency of cough) or expectorants (e.g., guaifenesin, which theoretically helps make coughing more effective at getting the gunk out).
—Keren Landman, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
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Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Antidiarrheals, decongestants, antihistamines, nasal sprays, and expectorants, for example, can come with some possible risks.
—Sarah Bradley, Parents, 22 July 2024
There were antibiotics to knock out the sinusitis, a high-dose course of prednisone, an expectorant to help drain the mush out of my face and famotidine to prevent any reflux from further irritating the vocal anatomy.
—Dessa Dessa Tanya Pérez Alec K. Redfearn, New York Times, 12 June 2024
This category includes drugs advertised as cough suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan, which is supposed to lower the frequency of cough) or expectorants (e.g., guaifenesin, which theoretically helps make coughing more effective at getting the gunk out).
—Keren Landman, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Expectorant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expectorant. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expectorant
noun
ex·pec·to·rant
ik-ˈspek-t(ə-)rənt
: an agent that promotes the discharge of mucus from the respiratory tract
expectorant
adjective
Medical Definition
expectorant
1 of 2 adjective
ex·pec·to·rant
ik-ˈspek-t(ə-)rənt
: having the activity of an expectorant
expectorant
2 of 2 noun
: an agent that promotes the discharge or expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract
broadly
: antitussive
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