primary care

noun

: health care provided by a medical professional (such as a general practitioner, pediatrician, or nurse) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist

—often used before another noun

a primary care physician

called also primary health care

compare secondary care, tertiary care

Examples of primary care in a Sentence

He provides primary care to inner-city patients.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Association of American Medical Colleges projects that the United States could face a shortage of up to 40,000 primary care physicians by 2036, even as an aging population requires more chronic-disease management. — Joel Zive, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026

Maryland is using an initial $80 million from its tranche to expand access to primary care, mental care services and dental services in rural parts of the state. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Amid a shortage of primary care providers, more states are allowing nurse practitioners to step in and open their own practices. — Colleen Connolly, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026

Always consult with your primary care doctor before implementing any major changes that can affect your health. — Renée Onque, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for primary care

• concessionaire
• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare

Medical Definition

primary care

noun

: health care provided by a medical professional (as a general practitioner or a pediatrician) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist for further treatment

—often used attributively

primary care physicians

primary care practice

primary care medicine

called also primary health care

compare secondary care, tertiary care