therapy

play

noun ther·a·py \ˈther-ə-pē\

Definition of therapy

plural

therapies

: therapeutic treatment especially of bodily, mental, or behavioral disorder

See therapy defined for English-language learners

See therapy defined for kids

Examples of therapy in a Sentence

He is undergoing cancer therapy.
talking over my problem with you has been good therapy

Recent Examples of therapy from the Web

Could really use some - 220 degree cryo therapy now...

— kalyn kahler, The MMQB, "— The MMQB (@theMMQB)", 23 June 2017
The agency has been approving cancer drugs more quickly in recent years, but companies would like additional guidance for developing cutting-edge therapies to hasten through the testing phase and into the agency’s review process.

— anna edney, Bloomberg.com, "FDA to Clear Path for Drugs Aimed at Cancer-Causing Genes", 20 June 2017
Advocates are hailing ketamine therapy and its attendant hallucinations as the ultimate brain hack.

— rene chun, Los Angeles Magazine, "Inside the Los Angeles Clinic That Uses Ketamine to Treat Depression", 19 June 2017
Blue-chip establishments like Massachusetts General Hospital and the Yale University School of Medicine—never quick to support controversial drug therapies—have been conducting ketamine trials on TRD patients.

— rene chun, Los Angeles Magazine, "Inside the Los Angeles Clinic That Uses Ketamine to Treat Depression", 19 June 2017
In the meantime, add something to your schedule that makes constructive use of your energy — a hobby, a volunteer gig, yoga or other exercise, therapy.

— carolyn hax, The Seattle Times, "It’s OK to let adult son wobble, find his own way", 14 June 2017
Residents of the South Palm Beach County area also are welcome to take advantage of the Health Care Center's services, which include rehabilitative services (and physical, occupational and speech therapies).

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "Sinai Residences gets new name, health center", 7 June 2017
Foam rolling is considered self-massage or soft-tissue therapy.

— kay wicker, Howard County Times, "At Main Street Yoga, foam rolling deepens the practice", 6 June 2017
But the therapy is recommended for five to 10 years, and women can't get pregnant while taking it because the medication can cause birth defects.

— laurie mcginley, Washington Post, "Is pregnancy safe after breast cancer? Here’s what the latest data shows.", 3 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'therapy'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of therapy

New Latin therapia, from Greek therapeia, from therapeuein

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First Known Use: circa 1846

See Words from the same year

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

THERAPY Defined for English Language Learners

therapy

play

noun

Definition of therapy for English Language Learners

: the treatment of physical or mental illnesses

THERAPY Defined for Kids

therapy

play

noun ther·a·py \ˈther-ə-pē\

Definition of therapy for Students

plural

therapies

: treatment of a disorder or injury of the body or mind

Medical Dictionary

therapy

play

noun ther·a·py \ˈther-ə-pē\

Medical Definition of therapy

plural

therapies

: therapeutic treatment: asa: remedial treatment of mental or bodily disorderb: an agency (as treatment) designed or serving to bring about rehabilitation or social adjustment—see occupational therapy, recreational therapy