physician

noun

phy·​si·​cian fə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce physician (audio)
plural physicians
Synonyms of physiciannext
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

Synonyms of physician

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Examples of physician in a Sentence

you should always consult a physician if you develop a high fever
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.
That method was not dissimilar to what physicians, ship surgeons, and military officials did in the first half of the 19th century when an epidemic erupted. — Jim Downs, STAT, 30 Oct. 2026 Its bot ingests and analyzes the data from a patient's bloodwork, then makes recommendations (for follow-up testing, medications, etc), then that is all reviewed by a human physician. — Fiorella Valdesolo, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026 Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and former public health director, has the chance to be the country’s first Muslim senator. — Connor Greene, Time, 30 Oct. 2026 Nadia Bickelhaupt, 37, is now suing neurosurgeon Kaveh Asadi-Moghaddam and physician’s assistant Sara Seneker. — Zoey Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for physician

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

Phrases Containing physician

Rhymes for physician

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Browse Nearby Words

physic garden
physician
physician assistant
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Cite this Entry

“Physician.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physician. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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
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