physician assistant

noun

: a person certified to provide basic medical services usually under the supervision of a licensed physician

called also PA, physician's assistant

Examples of physician assistant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent years, nurse practitioners and physician assistants have taken on responsibilities previously reserved for doctors. —Patrick Aguilar, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025

Sarah, who was studying to be a physician assistant, is being remembered for being career-driven and funny, Local 4 reported. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

These professionals include neurosurgery or orthopedic residents and fellows training to become specialists, as well as advanced practice providers, such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners. —Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Protections were also broadened to cover physician assistants, registered nurses, dentists, midwives and other health care practitioners. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for physician assistant

• coexistent
• equidistant
• inconsistent
• nonexistent
• preexistent
• consistent
• existent
• insistent
• persistent
• resistant
• subsistent
• distant

Medical Definition

physician assistant

noun

physician as·​sis·​tant

-ə-ˈsis-tənt

variants also physician's assistant

: a specially trained person who is certified to provide basic medical services (as the diagnosis and treatment of common ailments) usually under the supervision of a licensed physician

called also PA