physician

noun

phy·​si·​cian fə-ˈzi-shən 

plural physicians

1

: a person trained in the art of healing

specifically : a health care professional (such as a dermatologist, internist, pediatrician, or urologist) who has earned a medical degree, is clinically experienced, and is licensed to practice medicine as usually distinguished from surgery : a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathic medicine

2

: someone or something that has a beneficial effect or influence

Do justice with mercy. That is what, in essence, the brilliant physician of the heart and soul, Maimonides, tried to teach us 900 years ago.

—Jack Weinstein

Synonyms of physician

• doctor

Examples of physician in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

These inaccurate or misleading physician directories have for years been an obstacle for patients seeking in-network providers and have even led some to pay large sums out of pocket, or to delay or forgo care. —Kate Snow, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates divided the lives of men into only four stages, a number that mirrored the four humors and the four elements. —Shayla Love, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026

The clinic is located in an office suite shared with another physician group. —Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026

Republican senator and physician Bill Cassidy of Louisiana has increasingly voiced concerns about moves by the HHS to undercut childhood vaccine recommendations. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing physician

• family physician
• physician assistant
• physician-assisted suicide
• physician's assistant

Rhymes for physician

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

physician

noun

phy·​si·​cian fə-ˈzish-ən 

: a specialist in healing human diseases

especially : one educated and licensed to practice medicine

Medical Definition

physician

noun

phy·​si·​cian fə-ˈzish-ən 

: a health care professional who has earned a medical degree, is clinically experienced, and is licensed to practice medicine : a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathic medicine