practitioner

noun

prac·​ti·​tion·​er prak-ˈti-sh(ə-)nər How to pronounce practitioner (audio)
1
: one who practices
especially : one who practices a profession
2
Christian Science : an authorized healer

Examples of practitioner in a Sentence

a French doctor who was once the most famous practitioner of natural childbirth
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.
The other legend concerns a black magic practitioner who fell in love with a princess. Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025 The Awards honors practitioners across film, television, commercial and digital content who have showcased excellence in color grading in the past year. Andrew McGowan, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025 At Giordano’s mental health clinics, her practitioners and administrative staff members were unable to validate clients’ insurance information because the online clearinghouse for that information wasn’t working. Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025 The growth of medical informatics professionals in health systems, many of whom have experience as health care practitioners, has aimed to address these challenges, as technology’s adoption shows little signs of stopping. Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for practitioner

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier practician, from Middle English (Scots) pratician, from Middle French practicien, from pratique practice

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of practitioner was in 1535

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Practitioner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practitioner. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

practitioner

noun
prac·​ti·​tio·​ner
prak-ˈtish-(ə-)nər
: a person who practices a profession and especially law or medicine

Medical Definition

practitioner

noun
prac·​ti·​tion·​er prak-ˈtish-(ə-)nər How to pronounce practitioner (audio)
: one who practices a profession and especially medicine

More from Merriam-Webster on practitioner

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