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

Earlier screenings, chronic disease management and primary care also ease pressure on hospitals and care teams. — Russell Cox, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Kieltyka said Maine Family Planning isn’t planning to bring back its primary care practices again. — Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Kieltyka said Maine Family Planning isn't planning to bring back its primary care practices again. — ABC News, 6 July 2026

The new combined organization is expected to provide health care to 80,000 community members annually, offering primary care, and dental care to behavioral health and pediatric services. — Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 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