primary care

noun

: health care provided by a medical professional (such as a general practitioner, pediatrician, or nurse) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist

—often used before another noun

a primary care physician

called also primary health care

compare secondary care, tertiary care

Examples of primary care in a Sentence

He provides primary care to inner-city patients.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chris went to both urgent care and his primary care doctor, only to be told that his breathing was fine. —Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026

In a notice published last week in the Federal Register, HHS asked for nominations of new members, encouraging anesthesiologists, cardiologists, oncologists, radiologists, obstetricians and other specialists to apply, although the members have typically been primary care doctors. —Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026

The next step is to see a healthcare professional, such as a primary care practitioner or gastroenterologist. —Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2026

West Suburban reopened its clinic, which initially offered primary care visits, then some specialty visits and testing, according to a Tribune article. —Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for primary care

• concessionaire
• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare

Medical Definition

primary care

noun

: health care provided by a medical professional (as a general practitioner or a pediatrician) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist for further treatment

—often used attributively

primary care physicians

primary care practice

primary care medicine

called also primary health care

compare secondary care, tertiary care