physician assistant

noun

: a person certified to provide basic medical services usually under the supervision of a licensed physician

called also PA, physician's assistant

Examples of physician assistant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over 98% of union members, which range from physician assistants and pharmacists to clinical lab scientists and language interpreters, voted in favor. —Shawna Chen, Axios, 2 Nov. 2024

Each state individually determines regulations regarding nurse practitioner and physician assistant practice. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 8 Aug. 2024

The legislature overrode the veto, and the law enables nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants to provide care. —CBS News, 10 Oct. 2024

This vaccine is not required if the child has had chickenpox and has documentation of it from a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse prescriber 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine. —Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

physician assistant

noun

physician as·​sis·​tant

-ə-ˈsis-tənt

variants also physician's assistant

: a specially trained person who is certified to provide basic medical services (as the diagnosis and treatment of common ailments) usually under the supervision of a licensed physician

called also PA