clinic

1 of 2

noun

clin·​ic ˈkli-nik How to pronounce clinic (audio)
1
: a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
2
: a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge
writing clinics
golf clinics
3
a
: a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
b
: a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
4
: a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates
a legal clinic
5
: an exemplary display or performance
put on a clinic in the tournament

-clinic

2 of 2

adjective combining form

1
: inclining : dipping
2
: having (so many) oblique intersections of the axes
triclinic

Examples of clinic in a Sentence

Noun The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes. He checked into a drug rehab clinic. The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain. A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Stokes recently came under fire after several viral social media posts questioned her legal qualifications and reported connection to Second Chance Services, a mental health and addiction clinic in Charlotte. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025 While the center has shifted its funding to focus to operating the two clinics and remaining open as a gathering space, Hawkins is still optimistic despite the losses. Eloise Rollins-Fife, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025 More than 1,000 of those attacks have destroyed hospitals and clinics. Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025 One of the rare Norwegian players in pro hockey, Zuccarello got a special treat during his time away from the Wild, holding a youth hockey clinic in Minneapolis last month when the crown prince of Norway was in the Twin Cities on an official visit. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clinic

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean

Adjective combining form

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek klinein

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clinic was in 1819

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clinic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinic. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

clinic

noun
clin·​ic ˈklin-ik How to pronounce clinic (audio)
1
: a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
2
: a group meeting for teaching a certain skill and working on individual problems
a reading clinic
3
: a place for the treatment of people needing medical help who do not stay overnight
Etymology

Noun

from French clinique "medical instruction at a hospital bed," from Greek klinikē "medical practice at a sickbed," derived from klinē "bed," from klinein "to lean, recline" — related to climate, climax

Medical Definition

clinic

noun
clin·​ic ˈklin-ik How to pronounce clinic (audio)
1
a
: a session or class of medical instruction in a hospital held at the bedside of patients serving as case studies
b
: a group of selected patients presented with discussion before doctors (as at a convention) for purposes of instruction
2
a
: an institution connected with a hospital or medical school where diagnosis and treatment are made available to outpatients
b
: a form of group practice in which several physicians (as specialists) work in cooperative association

More from Merriam-Webster on clinic

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