practitioner

noun

prac·​ti·​tion·​er prak-ˈti-sh(ə-)nər 

1

: one who practices

especially : one who practices a profession

2

Christian Science : an authorized healer

Synonyms

• exponent
• interpreter

Examples of practitioner in a Sentence

a French doctor who was once the most famous practitioner of natural childbirth

Recent Examples on the Web

Companies or individual practitioners found to be in violation of the law could face fines of up to $10,000 per offense. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2025

South Carolina is not among the 23 states that ban conversion therapy, and those bans apply only to services given to minors by licensed practitioners, not to adults in private or religious settings. —Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025

The pandemic, Epperly and other Idaho health care practitioners said, accelerated many of these trends. —ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2025

Trust Gut Feelings In Moments Of Conflict The mind-body connection is increasingly important these days, not only for practitioners but for clients as well. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier practician, from Middle English (Scots) pratician, from Middle French practicien, from pratique practice

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing practitioner

• family practitioner
• general practitioner
• medical practitioner
• nurse practitioner

Rhymes for practitioner

• commissioner
• conditioner
• parishioner
• petitioner
• positioner
• missioner

Kids Definition

practitioner

noun

prac·​ti·​tio·​ner

prak-ˈtish-(ə-)nər

: a person who practices a profession and especially law or medicine

Medical Definition

practitioner

noun

prac·​ti·​tion·​er prak-ˈtish-(ə-)nər 

: one who practices a profession and especially medicine