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

In some cases, residents missed physical therapy sessions because contractors stopped showing up. —Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025

Medicaid pays for the nurse, as well as other services like physical therapy. —Calmatters, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025

Paulette, a physical therapist with Park Nicollet Health Services, earned her master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Iowa in 1999, according to Local Channel2 Now. —Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025

Vinjamuri believes this approach could support accessible physical therapy tools that guide patients through rehabilitation exercises at home. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025

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