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

For colorblind individuals, Railsback recommends asking their primary care physician for a urine test at annual visits. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026

Where will the patients be referred — their primary care provider, the emergency department? —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Feb. 2026

While hematologists and vascular medicine doctors have the most expertise managing blood thinners, the ubiquitous nature of the medications means they are prescribed by everyone from primary care physicians to cardiologists. —David Cox, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026

The billing is the same as a hospital emergency department, which tends to be more expensive than an urgent care or primary care visit. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 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