physician

play

noun phy·si·cian \ fə-ˈzi-shən \

Definition of physician

1 :a person skilled in the art of healing; specifically :one educated, clinically experienced, and licensed to practice medicine as usually distinguished from surgery

2 :one exerting a remedial or salutary influence

See physician defined for English-language learners

See physician defined for kids

Examples of physician in a Sentence

you should always consult a physician if you develop a high fever

Recent Examples of physician from the Web

The nonprofit had an international reputation for training physicians in hospice practice, drawing fellows to its Hillcrest facility perched near the edge of the tall bluffs that overlook Mission Valley.

— paul sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Scripps to shutter its hospice service," 30 Aug. 2017
Harsh, the son of a Birmingham physician, and the other young man were rushed to South Baldwin.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "6 friends knocked unconscious by lightning bolt in Gulf Shores; Mountain Brook man dies," 28 Aug. 2017
Anyone suspected of a concussion is urged to consult with their primary care physician or pediatrician.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Big spike in District 203 concussion numbers tied to parental reporting," 26 Aug. 2017
A long-term trend away from physicians owning their practices may be another reason that single-payer is winning some over.

— rachel bluth, Kaiser Health News, "Doctors Warm To Single-Payer Health Care," 16 Aug. 2017
But what’s shocking is that physicians aren’t getting better at avoiding these mistakes.

— kelly mickle, Glamour, "Why Are So Many Women Being Misdiagnosed?," 11 Aug. 2017
Serageldin has appealed the 31 July verdict, and this week more than 180 scientists, engineers, physicians, and public figures issued a declaration of support (in Arabic) on his behalf.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "Researchers rally around science advocate convicted in Egypt," 11 Aug. 2017
NATA also recommends that any medical decisions are made by the school’s sports medicine professionals (physicians and athletic trainers) and not the coach to avoid conflict of interest.

— david humphrey, star-telegram, "Parent’s back-to-school guide when there’s an athlete in the house," 8 Aug. 2017
The judge also blocked a law that would expand a requirement that physicians performing abortions for patients under 14 take certain steps to preserve embryonic or fetal tissue and notify police where the minor resides.

— Bloomberg.com, "Judge Blocks Arkansas From Enforcing Four Abortion Restrictions," 29 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'physician.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of physician

Middle English phisicien, fisicien, from Anglo-French, from phisique medicine

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

physician Synonyms

Synonyms

croaker [slang], doc, medic, medico, doctor, sawbones [slang]

Antonyms

nondoctor, nonphysician

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

PHYSICIAN Defined for English Language Learners

physician

play

noun

Definition of physician for English Language Learners

: a medical doctor; especially : a medical doctor who is not a surgeon

PHYSICIAN Defined for Kids

physician

play

noun phy·si·cian \ fə-ˈzi-shən \

Definition of physician for Students

:a specialist in healing human disease :a doctor of medicine

Medical Dictionary

physician

play

noun phy·si·cian \ fə-ˈzish-ən \

medical Definition of physician

:a skilled health-care professional trained and licensed to practice medicine; specifically :a doctor of medicine or osteopathy

Learn More about physician

See words that rhyme with physician Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for physician Spanish Central: Translation of physician Nglish: Translation of physician for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of physician for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up physician? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

physician

Definition of physician

People Are Reading

Examples of physician in a Sentence

Recent Examples of physician from the Web

Origin and Etymology of physician

physician Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Other Medicine Terms

PHYSICIAN Defined for English Language Learners

physician

Definition of physician for English Language Learners

PHYSICIAN Defined for Kids

physician

Definition of physician for Students

Medical Dictionary

physician

medical Definition of physician

Learn More about physician

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066