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

In this vein, Sewards recommended formal coaching or working with a physical therapist or trainer on movement patterns that support movements necessary to play, like moving side to side and swinging a racquet repeatedly. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2025

Speech, cognitive, behavioral and physical therapists come to the home to help Duvi every week. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025

When he was cleared to begin rehabbing, McNeill spent five months in San Diego with Derrick Samuel, a physical therapist the team recommended. —Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

At Kaiser’s three area hospitals, the UNAC/UHCP represents nurse anesthetists, midwives, physician associates, acupuncture providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. —Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025

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