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

• doctor

Examples of physician in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

And although Signature Healthcare has fewer patients, Abernathy also emphasized that the physicians work hard, which is a common misconception about concierge doctors. —Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025

Cervical cancer screenings allow physicians to spot and remove cancerous or even precancerous lesions (clusters of odd-looking cells that could one day become cancer). —Erica Sloan, SELF, 3 Sep. 2025

The Surgical Team Analogy Even renowned physicians don’t operate alone. —John M. O'Connor, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Flowers was a physician from Pine Bluff and the first doctor in the country to successfully deliver a set of conjoined twins. —Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 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