physical therapy

noun

Definition of physical therapynext
as in activity
US, medical the treatment of a disease or an injury of the muscles or joints with massage, strengthening movements, heat, etc.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of physical therapy The American Animal Hospital Association includes it among physical therapies used in rehabilitation settings. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026 Durbin figured the physical therapy would help her mom become strong enough to move home. — Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026 Jackson faces a long recovery that includes additional medical care and physical therapy. — Bymadison Weil, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026 Pneumatic compression boots, once mostly seen in physical therapy clinics and pro locker rooms, are now showing up on kitchen chairs and living room floors, marketed for everything from lymphatic drainage to post-workout recovery. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for physical therapy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for physical therapy
  1. activity
  2. physiotherapy
  3. conditioning
  4. workout
  5. exercise
Noun
  • In March, officials said the number of national security cases involving activity by hostile states, including Iran, increased by 50% in the six months to December 2025.
    — ALASTAIR GRANT, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The 2025 tax cuts and spending law preserved the federal tax exemption for municipal bonds, including qualified private-activity bonds, a type of municipal bonds used to finance private or nonprofit projects with a public benefit.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of activity
Noun
  • There are also sessions of Cranio Sacral Balance, EmSella pelvic-floor activation, Exomind brain stimulation, lymphatic drainage, and physiotherapy.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Heverin is undergoing daily physiotherapy to improve her ability to walk and receiving speech therapy at least twice a week.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of physiotherapy
Noun
  • When temperatures soar, the city’s recreation centers welcome residents who lack air conditioning.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In 2018, Maryland football player Jordan McNair suffered an exertional heatstroke during a football conditioning workout.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of conditioning
Noun
  • Luckily, Amazon’s fitness section is loaded with clever devices to make home workouts fun, engaging, and a little sweaty.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Attempting to pedal across the water was quite amusing and also a fantastic leg workout.
    — ElleAnna Revell, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of workout
Noun
  • China has deployed troops alongside Russian forces for a large multinational military exercise that Moscow says incorporates lessons from the war in Ukraine, including the growing role of drones, electronic warfare and unmanned ground systems.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • To hold adults forever responsible for their words — not actions — as teenagers is an exercise in cruelty.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of exercise

Browse Nearby Words

physical therapists
physical therapy
physician
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Cite this Entry

“Physical therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/physical%20therapy. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on physical therapy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about physical therapy

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