doctor of medicine

noun

plural doctors of medicine
: a physician who has earned a degree in medicine and specifically allopathic medicine
For years, doctors of osteopathic medicine have been growing in number alongside the better-known doctors of medicine, who are sometimes called allopathic doctors and use the M.D. after their names.Tampa Bay (Florida) Times
also : an academic graduate degree conferring the rank or title of doctor of medicine
She was awarded a doctor of medicine from Duke University School of Medicine.
a doctor of medicine program
abbreviation MD, M.D.

Examples of doctor of medicine in a Sentence

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 Sacramento Bee follows the style of the Associated Press, which guides writers to only use the honorific for individuals with medical-specific professional degrees, including doctors of medicine, dental surgery, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry or veterinary medicine. Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026 There are about 200 accredited medical schools in the U.S., roughly 160 of which offer doctor of medicine degrees. Reuters wire Service, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026 After graduating from Stanford University with a doctor of medicine degree, Means dropped out of her surgical residency program at Oregon Health and Science University in 2018. Ali Swenson The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026 After graduating from Stanford University with a doctor of medicine degree, Means dropped out of her surgical residency program at Oregon Health and Science University in 2018. Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026 Abraham graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and practiced as a veterinarian for 10 years before earning his doctor of medicine degree at the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025 Last year, lawmakers clarified state law to explicitly say that coroners must be doctors of medicine or doctors of osteopathic medicine. Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Medical background Means graduated from Stanford University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in human biology and a doctor of medicine degree from Stanford School of Medicine in 2014, according to her LinkedIn profile. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 10 May 2025 The justices inquired about the differences between a doctor of osteopathic medicine and a doctor of medicine, and the differences in standards of health care between Ada and Canyon counties. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doctor of medicine was in 1594

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Cite this Entry

“Doctor of medicine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doctor%20of%20medicine. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Medical Definition

doctor of medicine

noun
plural doctors of medicine
: a physician who has earned a doctorate degree in medicine and specifically allopathic medicine
also : an academic graduate degree conferring the rank and title of doctor of medicine
abbreviation MD, M.D.
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