physical therapist

noun

plural physical therapists

: a person licensed to practice physical therapy : a health care professional who provides therapy to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function that are impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability

… a physical therapist can show you exercises to maintain strength and movement in the affected area and may also use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation …

—Self Healing

While activity may worsen pain, activity directed by physical therapists, which may be done in therapy sessions and sometimes at home, provides some relief.

—Schenectady (New York) Daily Gazette

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapist

Examples of physical therapist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

David, a retired physical therapist who is now 68, asked that his family’s last name not be used to protect their privacy. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Brunson is married to his high school sweetheart, Ali Brunson, who is a physical therapist. — Niya Doyle, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

The brand was founded by a physical therapist who saw firsthand how much of a disservice flat, flimsy flip-flops were doing to his clients’ feet. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 July 2026

Today, becoming a teacher, nurse, counselor, social worker, or physical therapist often requires credentials that previous generations either earned on the job or never needed at all. — Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for physical therapist

• physiotherapist
• psychotherapist

Kids Definition

physical therapist

noun

: a person who is a specialist in physical therapy

Medical Definition

physical therapist

noun

: a person licensed to practice physical therapy : a health care professional who provides therapy to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function that are impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapist