occupational therapy

noun

: therapy based on engagement in meaningful activities of daily life (such as self-care skills, education, work, or social interaction) especially to enable or encourage participation in such activities despite impairments or limitations in physical or mental functioning

occupational therapist noun

Examples of occupational therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But other healthcare fields, such as nursing, physical therapy, dental hygiene, social work and occupational therapy, were not included in the definition. —ABC News, 19 May 2026

There, Calliope received treatments such as feeding therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026

Among the graduates were the first two students from VU’s entry-level occupational therapy doctorate program, Peyton Throw and Maria Camacho. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026

Production of the series, which returns next Monday, was paused during the two months of physical and occupational therapy Lee attended prior to getting back to work in January. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for occupational therapy

• brachytherapy
• chemotherapy
• cryotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• hypnotherapy
• monotherapy
• phototherapy
• psychotherapy
• sclerotherapy
• immunotherapy
• pharmacotherapy
• physiotherapy

Medical Definition

occupational therapy

noun

: therapy based on engagement in meaningful activities of daily life (as self-care skills, education, work, or social interaction) especially to enable or encourage participation in such activities despite impairments or limitations in physical or mental functioning