physical therapy

noun

1

: therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

2

plural physical therapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physical therapy

[Andrea] Behrman said the center's work consists of physical therapies aimed at "retraining" the spine in an effort to improve strength and mobility.

—Deborah Yetter

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

Examples of physical therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The outlet reported that Tatum showed up to the interview with a limp and his double had to take on a lot of his heavier scenes in the film, with him due to undergo intensive physical therapy for the leg injury. —Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026

Rest and physical therapy may be sufficient for people with minor injuries or those who don’t engage in sports. —Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 4 Feb. 2026

The hospital was also planned to have an emergency department and ICU, operating rooms, women’s services, imaging, respiratory and physical therapy, and a pharmacy and laboratory. —Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026

After three days of physical therapy and doctors’ advice, Vonn tried skiing on Tuesday. —Andrew Dampf, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for physical therapy

• immunotherapy
• pharmacotherapy
• physiotherapy
• radiotherapy
• brachytherapy
• chemotherapy
• cryotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• hypnotherapy
• monotherapy
• phototherapy
• psychotherapy

Kids Definition

physical therapy

noun

: the treatment of disease, injury, or disability especially by massage, exercise, water, or heat

Medical Definition

physical therapy

noun

1

: therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

2

plural physical therapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physical therapy

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy