general practitioner
noun
: a physician or veterinarian whose practice is not limited to a specialty
broadly
: generalist
Examples of general practitioner in a Sentence
Our family doctor is a general practitioner.
Recent Examples on the Web
But just as common are the tales of maddening, hourslong waits in overstretched emergency rooms, or weeklong delays just to see a community general practitioner.
—
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2025
Doctors could still prescribe the booster off-label, to people not included in the FDA’s latest approval, but that adds another layer of complexity, since most people get their seasonal shots by appointment or walk-in at a pharmacy, not through a prescription from their general practitioner.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 19 Sep. 2025
Each year in the U.S., a variety of programs on pain management are offered to help general practitioners learn more about managing chronic pain.
—Hany Demian, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Violet had spent earlier years raising her children, teaching piano and shopping with friends, while her husband Solomon was a general practitioner.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for general practitioner
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Alexander Smith, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2025
Doctors could still prescribe the booster off-label, to people not included in the FDA’s latest approval, but that adds another layer of complexity, since most people get their seasonal shots by appointment or walk-in at a pharmacy, not through a prescription from their general practitioner.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 19 Sep. 2025
Each year in the U.S., a variety of programs on pain management are offered to help general practitioners learn more about managing chronic pain.
—Hany Demian, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Violet had spent earlier years raising her children, teaching piano and shopping with friends, while her husband Solomon was a general practitioner.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for general practitioner
Cite this Entry
“General practitioner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general%20practitioner. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
general practitioner
noun
: a physician or veterinarian whose practice is not limited to a specialty
Dr. Thomas, Sr., could carry virtually the full armamentarium of the medicine of his day in a single black bag, and very nearly all of medical knowledge in his head. Today the general practitioner is a vanishing breed, and specialists cannot use their time effectively traveling from patient to patient.—John Steele Gordon, American Heritage
John Steele Gordon, American HeritageThe primary-care doctor is gaining new respect in Washington. Battles may be breaking out left and right over the various health-care bills emerging from Congress, but reformers on both sides agree that general practitioners should be given a central role in uniting the fragmented U.S. medical system.—Catherine Arnst, Business Week
Catherine Arnst, Business WeekLove words? Need even more definitions?
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