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

Synonyms

• croaker [slang]
• doc
• doctor
• medic
• medico
• sawbones [slang]

Examples of physician in a Sentence

you should always consult a physician if you develop a high fever

Recent Examples on the Web

But by the early 2000s, discussions shifted to concerns about physician shortages. —Nicole McCann, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025

Alexandra said her physicians eventually diagnosed her with Mycoplasma pneumonia, a bacterial infection that mimics many symptoms of viral flu and pneumonia. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025

Or pare back provider reimbursement rates — already so low that many physicians refuse to accept Medi-Cal patients. —George Skelton, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025

Robby, the senior attending physician in the hospital’s ER, is reckoning with PTSD from working the nightmarish early days of the coronavirus pandemic, a current-day wrinkle that The Pitt handles with a lot of care and sensitivity. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing physician

• family physician
• physician assistant
• physician-assisted suicide
• physician's assistant

Rhymes for physician

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids 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