physician

noun

phy·​si·​cian fə-ˈzi-shən 

plural physicians

1

: a person trained in the art of healing

specifically : a health care professional (such as a dermatologist, internist, pediatrician, or urologist) who has earned a medical degree, is clinically experienced, and is licensed to practice medicine as usually distinguished from surgery : a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathic medicine

2

: someone or something that has a beneficial effect or influence

Do justice with mercy. That is what, in essence, the brilliant physician of the heart and soul, Maimonides, tried to teach us 900 years ago.

—Jack Weinstein

Synonyms of physician

• doctor

Examples of physician in a Sentence

you should always consult a physician if you develop a high fever

Recent Examples on the Web

That is the reality physicians must be willing to acknowledge. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Primary care physicians and pediatricians who have longstanding relationships with patients and families need to feel comfortable prescribing buprenorphine, addiction doctors said. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Medical group opposition Even before the first lethal injection was carried out, the American Medical Association said physicians shouldn’t participate, and that ban stands in the group’s Code of Medical Ethics. — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

There was a time when physicians could largely focus on clinical care while administrators managed the business because reimbursement was sufficient to support most organizational needs. — Dr William Wertheim, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English phisicien, fisicien, from Anglo-French, from phisique medicine

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing physician

• family physician
• physician assistant
• physician-assisted suicide
• physician associate
• physician's assistant
• physician's associate

Rhymes for physician

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

physician

noun

phy·​si·​cian fə-ˈzish-ən 

: a specialist in healing human diseases

especially : one educated and licensed to practice medicine

Medical Definition

physician

noun

phy·​si·​cian fə-ˈzish-ən 

: a health care professional who has earned a medical degree, is clinically experienced, and is licensed to practice medicine : a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathic medicine