C2adjectiveformalhealth
US/ˈpæl.i.ə.tɪv/
UK/ˈpæl.i.ə.tɪv/
giving relief from pain and symptoms of a serious illness without curing it
In context
Palliative care helps patients with terminal illnesses stay comfortable at home.
The hospital opened a new palliative unit for cancer patients.
These measures are merely palliative; they do not solve the underlying problem.
Words that go with palliative
adjective + noun
- palliative carePalliative care focuses on comfort, not cure.
- palliative treatmentShe received palliative treatment for the pain.
- palliative medicineHe specializes in palliative medicine.
- palliative measureThe subsidy is only a palliative measure.
- palliative nurseA palliative nurse visits the family each day.
- palliative unitThe palliative unit has twelve beds.