pla·ce·bo Audio pronunciation of "placebo" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pl-sb)
n. pl. pla·ce·bos or pla·ce·boes
1. A substance containing no medication and prescribed or given to reinforce a patient's expectation to get well.
2. An inactive substance or preparation used as a control in an experiment or test to determine the effectiveness of a medicinal drug.
3. Something of no intrinsic remedial value that is used to appease or reassure another.