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

Winnetka resident Michael Sanchez, a physical therapist, said. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

To prepare for her role, Byrne, who is also an executive producer on the project, met with a physical therapist who specializes in treating trauma victims like her character, Samantha. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026

That kind of consistency is the foundation of any rehabilitation, said Aaron Borgmann, a former Chiefs physical therapist and athletic trainer who now runs his own company in KC, Borgmann Rehab Solutions. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

An Ohio woman has been accused of posing as a registered nurse and a physical therapist despite, officials say, not being licensed to practice either profession. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 31 Aug. 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