physician

noun

phy·​si·​cian fə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce physician (audio)
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

Examples of physician in a Sentence

you should always consult a physician if you develop a high fever
Recent Examples on the Web At the moment, the United States is suffering from a shortage of physicians in various specialities, including dermatology. Brennan Kilbane, Allure, 21 Mar. 2024 Healthcare can’t make leaps like that without recruiting top physicians and putting dollars behind research. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 21 Mar. 2024 Mount Sinai’s physicians were slated to be out of network starting March 22. Jemima Denham, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024 It was disclosed that both physicians are consultants to weight loss drug companies. Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024 More and more women are becoming CEOs The good news is that more and more women are becoming CEOs, physicians, lawyers, dentists, engineers and entering other higher-paying professional fields. Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2024 Matthew Rank, an allergy-immunology physician at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, said he’s been seeing slightly more pollen this year compared with last. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024 That's because schools can not provide diagnoses; only a healthcare provider, like a physician or psychiatrist, can. Suzie Glassman, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 Health care leaders on Saturday called on Congress to take more actions to address the ongoing crisis, such as mandating that other private-health plans also advance emergency funding to physicians, hospitals and other providers. Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'physician.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English phisicien, fisicien, from Anglo-French, from phisique medicine

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of physician was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near physician

Cite this Entry

“Physician.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physician. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

physician

noun
phy·​si·​cian fə-ˈzish-ən How to pronounce physician (audio)
: a specialist in healing human diseases
especially : one educated and licensed to practice medicine

Medical Definition

physician

noun
phy·​si·​cian fə-ˈzish-ən How to pronounce physician (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on physician

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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