practitioner

noun

prac·​ti·​tion·​er prak-ˈti-sh(ə-)nər 

1

: one who practices

especially : one who practices a profession

2

Christian Science : an authorized healer

Synonyms

• exponent
• expounder
• guru
• high priest
• interpreter

Examples of practitioner in a Sentence

a French doctor who was once the most famous practitioner of natural childbirth

Recent Examples on the Web

Nurse practitioners empower patients, like helping someone manage diabetes. —Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

All healthcare practitioners are required to submit annual forms to track changes and to maintain current and accurate information. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

And Smoke has sought out both the protection and the sublime cooking of a woman named Annie (the superb Wunmi Mosaku), a hoodoo practitioner who also knows how to serve up catfish for a huge crowd. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Apr. 2025

In Sinners, Wunmi Mosaku leads as Annie, a soft-hearted yet strong-willed Hoodoo practitioner and herbalist who boasts strong intuition and keeps Smoke (played by Michael B. Jordan) grounded in reality. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier practician, from Middle English (Scots) pratician, from Middle French practicien, from pratique practice

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing practitioner

• family practitioner
• general practitioner
• medical practitioner
• nurse practitioner

Rhymes for practitioner

• commissioner
• conditioner
• parishioner
• petitioner
• positioner
• missioner

Kids Definition

practitioner

noun

prac·​ti·​tio·​ner

prak-ˈtish-(ə-)nər

: a person who practices a profession and especially law or medicine

Medical Definition

practitioner

noun

prac·​ti·​tion·​er prak-ˈtish-(ə-)nər 

: one who practices a profession and especially medicine