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

Thanks to longer sessions spent with multidisciplinary teams comprised of physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and other medical professionals, patients can supercharge their recoveries and leave these centers better able to take on their daily lives. —Newsweek Rankings, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025

Leah, a physical therapist, and Yanica, an assistant professor with a master's in public health and PhD in maternal and child health, have been together since 2009 and have been married for nearly 11 years. —Mariah Maddox, Parents, 1 May 2025

While medical doctors can provide it as a service, so can acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025

Physical therapy: Therapeutic exercises, performed by a physical therapist and incorporated into a home program help manage pain, and improve flexibility and mobility. —Diane Omdahl, Forbes.com, 16 May 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