therapist

noun

ther·​a·​pist ˈther-ə-pist How to pronounce therapist (audio)
1
: an individual specializing in the therapeutic medical treatment of impairment, injury, disease, or disorder
especially : a health care professional trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery
These simple range-of-motion exercises are often prescribed by physical, occupational, or hand therapists for people with hand OA [=osteoarthritis]. Food & Fitness Advisor
To help the baby interact with his family, a speech therapist taught everyone—including Justin's twin brother, Jeffery—hand signals and games. Michele Blecher
2
: a practitioner of psychotherapy : a psychotherapist
Again, it is important for the therapist to recognize that regression is normative due to the extreme stress of separation and divorce.Nathan W. Turner

Examples of therapist 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.
My task is to read their unpublished, often unfinished writing—less as a teacher or as an editor than as a cheerfully unlicensed therapist. David O’Neill, New Yorker, 20 May 2026 After a difficult period in her life, Calura said a therapist encouraged her to launch the business. Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 After four years of such calls, these front-line mental health care workers have learned how to diffuse such situations, in this case, providing contacts for local therapists likely to be able to meet quickly and assigning a case manager to start the process of restoring Medi-Cal coverage. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026 Courtesy Texas Civil Rights Project Additionally, the mother said, the girl was dependent on a team of therapists. Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for therapist

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of therapist was in 1880

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Cite this Entry

“Therapist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/therapist. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

therapist

noun
ther·​a·​pist ˈther-ə-pəst How to pronounce therapist (audio)
: a person who specializes in therapy
especially : a person trained in methods of treatment other than the use of drugs or surgery
a speech therapist

Medical Definition

therapist

noun
ther·​a·​pist ˈther-ə-pəst How to pronounce therapist (audio)
: a person specializing in therapy
especially : one trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery

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