physician assistant

noun

: a person certified to provide basic medical services usually under the supervision of a licensed physician

called also PA, physician's assistant

Examples of physician assistant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Kaiser’s expert argued that the physician assistant did an appropriate exam and that his low suspicion of breast cancer was reasonable. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 Payton began working with North Central on the physician assistant program after assuming his current job in 2019. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 For one former Saint Alphonsus physician assistant who spoke to the Statesman, Shapiro’s decision-making in surgery became a red flag. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026 The group of more than 40 doctors and physician assistants work at multiple emergency departments; it was being replaced by a national company. — Alex Olgin, NPR, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for physician assistant

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of physician assistant was in 1958

Rhymes for physician assistant

See All Rhymes for physician assistant

Browse Nearby Words

physician's assistant
physician assistant
physician-assisted suicide
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Cite this Entry

“Physician assistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physician%20assistant. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

physician assistant

noun
physician as·​sis·​tant
-ə-ˈsis-tənt
variants also physician's assistant
: a specially trained person who is certified to provide basic medical services (as the diagnosis and treatment of common ailments) usually under the supervision of a licensed physician

called also PA

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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