physical therapy

noun

1

: therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

2

plural physical therapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physical therapy

[Andrea] Behrman said the center's work consists of physical therapies aimed at "retraining" the spine in an effort to improve strength and mobility.

—Deborah Yetter

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

Examples of physical therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Today, in that same driveway, her father now helps her out of the car and into her wheelchair following a physical therapy appointment. —Megan De Mar, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026

Following surgery in October, Poggensee spent the next two months in intensive physical therapy. —Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

Coral Care connects parents who have commercial insurance and Medicaid with in-home speech, occupational and physical therapy providers, often before their kids have an official diagnosis. —Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026

His recovery was challenging, and when he was deemed ready, Gunner started six moths of physical therapy and hydrotherapy. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for physical therapy

• immunotherapy
• pharmacotherapy
• physiotherapy
• radiotherapy
• brachytherapy
• chemotherapy
• cryotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• hypnotherapy
• monotherapy
• phototherapy
• psychotherapy

Kids Definition

physical therapy

noun

: the treatment of disease, injury, or disability especially by massage, exercise, water, or heat

Medical Definition

physical therapy

noun

1

: therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

2

plural physical therapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physical therapy

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy