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

The complication, as psychologists and physicians have pointed out, is that constantly watching a stress score can create its own kind of stress. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

That covers your physician review, personalized plan, one-on-one guidance, metabolic report and prescription medicine shipped to you. — Jay Sparks, USA Today, 5 July 2026

The question is whether your organization is approaching AI as an intelligence layer that deepens physician relationships over time—or just as a faster way to run the same campaigns. — Kamya Elawadhi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Fleckenstein also noted that vaccines are available to protect against typhoid fever, and said travelers should consult their physician before traveling internationally. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 6 July 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's assistant

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