the acetylated derivative of salicylic acid; used as an analgesic anti-inflammatory drug (trade names Bayer, Empirin, and St. Joseph) usually taken in tablet form; used as an antipyretic; slows clotting of the blood by poisoning platelets
"After his fever spiked from a high temperature, she took two aspirin tablets to lower it while also hoping they would ease her throbbing headache and prevent any further clotting issues."
an analgesic drug, acetylsalicylic acid
"The doctor prescribed aspirin to help reduce her headache and lower her fever."
In plain English: Aspirin is a common pain reliever and fever reducer that people often take when they have a headache or feel sick.
"I took an aspirin to help relieve my headache before going to bed."
A marketed variety of acetylsalicylic acid.
"The pharmacist dispensed a bottle of aspirin as a marketed variety of acetylsalicylic acid to treat her headache."
Aspirin comes from the German term acetylierte Spirsäure, which literally means "acetylated spiraeic acid." Although it began as a registered trademark, the word entered English usage generically when various German trademarks were nullified in the United States after World War I.