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

Camp Simcha’s team includes 12 nurses, three doctors, two paramedics, and a respiratory and physical therapist. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Depending on each patient’s needs, that team might include a menopause specialist, gynecologist or pelvic floor physical therapist alongside an oncologist. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 3 Aug. 2026

Shani Douglas, a physical therapist, learned about the giving circle through her volunteer work with the Center for Food Equity in Medicine. — Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

The mom of two praised the support of Jesse’s care network, which includes his pediatrician, neurology team, physical therapist, occupational therapist and pulmonology team. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 2 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