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 WeinsteinSynonyms
Examples of physician in a Sentence
you should always consult a physician if you develop a high fever
Recent Examples on the Web
Ziegler said efforts to criminalize abortions in the 1860s were led by physicians who knew exceptions to save a mother's life gave them leeway.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2024
The New York Times, citing an unnamed official familiar with the investigation, reported Thursday that the physician who made the changes to patient records was Dr. Steve Bynon Jr., a transplant surgeon who had overseen both the kidney and liver transplant programs.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Luciana Borio is an infectious disease physician, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, a venture partner at ARCH Venture Partners, and former director for medical and biodefense preparedness policy at the National Security Council.
—Luciana Borio and Phil Krause, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024
Marie and 43 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners contracted to work in the emergency department at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit plan to take to the picket lines, alleging unfair labor practices.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024
Moon and her team, which includes a physician and two medical assistants from nonprofit Father Joe’s Villages, set off to find him.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Back then, midwives predominantly performed abortions, using herbs or metal instruments, which caused resentment among male physicians, said Karissa Haugeberg, who teaches history at Tulane University in Louisiana.
—Melissa Chan, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Additional sanctions could be issued to physicians who perform abortions after 15 weeks.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
According to the report from the local physician group, the vast majority, or about 85%, of obstetricians and gynecologists in Idaho practice in the seven most populous counties.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2024
The New York Times, citing an unnamed official familiar with the investigation, reported Thursday that the physician who made the changes to patient records was Dr. Steve Bynon Jr., a transplant surgeon who had overseen both the kidney and liver transplant programs.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Luciana Borio is an infectious disease physician, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, a venture partner at ARCH Venture Partners, and former director for medical and biodefense preparedness policy at the National Security Council.
—Luciana Borio and Phil Krause, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024
Marie and 43 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners contracted to work in the emergency department at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit plan to take to the picket lines, alleging unfair labor practices.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024
Moon and her team, which includes a physician and two medical assistants from nonprofit Father Joe’s Villages, set off to find him.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Back then, midwives predominantly performed abortions, using herbs or metal instruments, which caused resentment among male physicians, said Karissa Haugeberg, who teaches history at Tulane University in Louisiana.
—Melissa Chan, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Additional sanctions could be issued to physicians who perform abortions after 15 weeks.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
According to the report from the local physician group, the vast majority, or about 85%, of obstetricians and gynecologists in Idaho practice in the seven most populous counties.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near physician
Cite this Entry
“Physician.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physician. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share