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 vaccinations, contact your primary care provider or go through Austin Public Health or other public health authorities in your county. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025

Allergists Your primary care provider might also refer you to an allergist. —Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 23 July 2025

Manage chronic medical conditions, following up with your primary care provider or specialists as needed. —Mark Stibich, Verywell Health, 23 July 2025

About 5,000 Coloradans are covered by Medicaid and use a Planned Parenthood clinic as their primary care provider. —Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 18 July 2025

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