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

Colleen and Brett say their daughter, who still walks with a limp and is dealing with nightmares, has a long road to recovery filled with physical therapy, lab work and more. — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

Born with cerebral palsy, he's required to undergo different kinds of occupational and physical therapy weekly in order to improve his quality of life. — Conor Wight, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Her integrated pediatric therapy practice offers speech, occupational, and physical therapy under one roof, drastically cutting intake from months to weeks. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Allows high-school coaches to use their own money, up to $15,000 a year per team, on food, physical therapy and transportation — but not recruiting — for their players (SB 178). — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 30 June 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