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

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

Examples of physician in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

In perpetrator countries, most people were passive witnesses, but there was also considerable participation by elites including artists, university professors, Catholic and Protestant clergy, media moguls, business leaders, and even physicians. —Robert Williams, Time, 24 Apr. 2025

To provide the best maternity care, nurses and physicians have to listen to their patients. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

Was handed a clean bill of health by the White House physician, who has clearly never seen photos of Trump playing golf. —Air Mail, 19 Apr. 2025

Well at Work: Creating Wellbeing in any Workspace (2023), Dr. Esther Sternberg, a physician and neuroscientist at the forefront of design-emotion research, underscores how the lack of nature in our surroundings creates a cognitive burden—one that quietly taxes our mental and emotional reserves. —Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

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