clin ‧ i ‧ cal /ˈklɪnɪk ə l/ BrE AmE adjective
1 . [only before noun] relating to treating or testing people who are sick:
The drug has undergone extensive clinical trials (=tests to see if it is effective in treating people) .
clinical medicine/experience/training etc (=medicine etc that deals directly with people, rather than with research or ideas)
The therapy has helped people with clinical depression (=a strong feeling of sadness, for which you need medical help) .
2 . relating to a hospital or clinic:
The program gives the students experience in a clinical setting.
3 . considering only the facts and not influenced by personal feelings:
A formal marriage agreement sounds clinical, but it can be a good idea.
4 . a clinical building or room is very plain and clean, but not attractive or comfortable:
The walls were painted a clinical white.
—clinically /-kli/ adverb :
clinically tested drugs