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Definition of "topical" []

  • Of or belonging to a particular location or place; local. (adjective)
  • Currently of interest; contemporary. (adjective)
  • Medicine Of or applied to a localized area of the body or to the surface of a body part. (adjective)
  • Medicine Of or relating to a drug applied topically. (adjective)
  • Of, arranged by, or relating to a particular topic or topics. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "topical" in a sentence
  • "You need to associate seemingly different unrelated topics hence the word topical and connect the dots in your mind so that funny words and phrases come rolling off your tongue like sweat off of Martha Stewart’s stockbroker."
  • "Anything topical is now a week old, and I'm out of the loop ... or on the outskirts waving frantically."
  • "Veterinarians tend to try and use these drugs sparingly and topical use is less damaging, however, long term topical use can cause unhealthy skin conditions to occur."