primary care

noun

: health care provided by a medical professional (such as a general practitioner, pediatrician, or nurse) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist

—often used before another noun

a primary care physician

called also primary health care

compare secondary care, tertiary care

Examples of primary care in a Sentence

He provides primary care to inner-city patients.

Recent Examples on the Web

Eventually, Edmondson Village will feature brand new shopping outlets, primary care and childcare centers, and a post office. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

High levels of student debt influence specialty selection and practice location decisions, contributing to persistent shortages in primary care and underserved communities. —Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026

The Minnesota marketplace is very unique in terms of there’s very few independent primary care groups. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026

The North Dallas medical center will remain open, and the Addison facility now hosts a second medical clinic which offers primary care for all ages, as well as maternal health care. —Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for primary care

• concessionaire
• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare

Medical Definition

primary care

noun

: health care provided by a medical professional (as a general practitioner or a pediatrician) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist for further treatment

—often used attributively

primary care physicians

primary care practice

primary care medicine

called also primary health care

compare secondary care, tertiary care