physical therapist

noun

plural physical therapists

: a person licensed to practice physical therapy : a health care professional who provides therapy to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function that are impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability

… a physical therapist can show you exercises to maintain strength and movement in the affected area and may also use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation …

—Self Healing

While activity may worsen pain, activity directed by physical therapists, which may be done in therapy sessions and sometimes at home, provides some relief.

—Schenectady (New York) Daily Gazette

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapist

Examples of physical therapist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mejicanos receives at-home physical therapy in 2004 with her physical therapist propping her up. —Victoria Mejicanos, Time, 7 Jan. 2026

Craft also previously was a physical therapist with Hartford HealthCare. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026

Erin's father, Phil Rasberry, also worked there for 44 years as a physical therapist, Erin noted. —Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026

See a physical therapist for an individualized exercise plan. —Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for physical therapist

• physiotherapist
• psychotherapist

Kids Definition

physical therapist

noun

: a person who is a specialist in physical therapy

Medical Definition

physical therapist

noun

: a person licensed to practice physical therapy : a health care professional who provides therapy to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function that are impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapist