physician
noun
phy·si·cian
fə-ˈzi-shən 
plural physicians
1
: a person trained in the art of healing
specifically
: a health care professional (such as a dermatologist, internist, pediatrician, or urologist) who has earned a medical degree, is clinically experienced, and is licensed to practice medicine as usually distinguished from surgery : a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathic medicine
2
: someone or something that has a beneficial effect or influence
Do justice with mercy. That is what, in essence, the brilliant physician of the heart and soul, Maimonides, tried to teach us 900 years ago.—
Jack Weinstein
Jack WeinsteinExamples of physician in a Sentence
you should always consult a physician if you develop a high fever
Recent Examples on the Web
This is true even in households where both spouses work as physicians.
—Christopher M. Worsham, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
One analysis from the AMA found that the number of physicians working in private practice dropped by 13 percentage points — from 60 percent to 46.7 percent — between 2012 and 2022.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 7 Mar. 2025
Myrick, a 38-year-old family medicine and obstetrics physician in the tiny town of Seminole, looked back to medical texts to learn more about the disease, once thought to be nearing eradication in the U.S.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
They are run under the direction of a licensed physician.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for physician
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Christopher M. Worsham, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
One analysis from the AMA found that the number of physicians working in private practice dropped by 13 percentage points — from 60 percent to 46.7 percent — between 2012 and 2022.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 7 Mar. 2025
Myrick, a 38-year-old family medicine and obstetrics physician in the tiny town of Seminole, looked back to medical texts to learn more about the disease, once thought to be nearing eradication in the U.S.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
They are run under the direction of a licensed physician.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for physician
Cite this Entry
“Physician.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physician. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
physician
noun
phy·si·cian
fə-ˈzish-ən
: a specialist in healing human diseases
especially
: one educated and licensed to practice medicine
Medical Definition
physician
noun
phy·si·cian
fə-ˈzish-ən
: a health-care professional who has earned a medical degree, is clinically experienced, and is licensed to practice medicine : a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathic medicine
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