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

Pneumatic compression boots, once mostly seen in physical therapy clinics and pro locker rooms, are now showing up on kitchen chairs and living room floors, marketed for everything from lymphatic drainage to post-workout recovery. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026

The office said his physical therapy was aimed at reducing the risk of him falling again. — Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Its pelvic health track folds Kegels into broader physical therapy for pelvic pain, bladder leakage and bowel control — a whole-body frame that treats the pelvic floor as one system among several rather than an isolated target. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

Its pelvic program folds Kegels into wider physical therapy for issues like bladder leakage, pelvic pain and bowel control, often through employer benefits worth checking on your way back from parental leave. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 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