clinic

1 of 2

noun

clin·​ic ˈkli-nik How to pronounce clinic (audio)
1
: a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
2
: a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge
writing clinics
golf clinics
3
a
: a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
b
: a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
4
: a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates
a legal clinic
5
: an exemplary display or performance
put on a clinic in the tournament

-clinic

2 of 2

adjective combining form

1
: inclining : dipping
2
: having (so many) oblique intersections of the axes
triclinic

Examples of clinic in a Sentence

Noun The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes. He checked into a drug rehab clinic. The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain. A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
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.
Noun
Kane Animal Control holding vaccine, microchip clinics Kane County Animal Control has spring and summer dates open for its low-cost drive-thru rabies vaccine and microchip clinics. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025 In Texas, for instance, health departments are testing specimens, hosting vaccine clinics and raising public awareness. Brian Castrucci, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 Some of the movie’s strongest moments take place in the Ethnos clinic run by Willie (R. Keith Harris), a white man who used to be Black. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025 Across the state line in New Mexico, which has also seen dozens of measles cases, officials are providing vaccines through free clinics. Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clinic

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean

Adjective combining form

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek klinein

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clinic was in 1827

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Clinic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinic. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

clinic

noun
clin·​ic ˈklin-ik How to pronounce clinic (audio)
1
: a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
2
: a group meeting for teaching a certain skill and working on individual problems
a reading clinic
3
: a place for the treatment of people needing medical help who do not stay overnight
Etymology

Noun

from French clinique "medical instruction at a hospital bed," from Greek klinikē "medical practice at a sickbed," derived from klinē "bed," from klinein "to lean, recline" — related to climate, climax

Medical Definition

clinic

noun
clin·​ic ˈklin-ik How to pronounce clinic (audio)
1
a
: a session or class of medical instruction in a hospital held at the bedside of patients serving as case studies
b
: a group of selected patients presented with discussion before doctors (as at a convention) for purposes of instruction
2
a
: an institution connected with a hospital or medical school where diagnosis and treatment are made available to outpatients
b
: a form of group practice in which several physicians (as specialists) work in cooperative association

More from Merriam-Webster on clinic

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