physician

[ fi-zish-uhn ]

noun

1. a person who is legally qualified to practice medicine; doctor of medicine.
2. a person engaged in general medical practice, as distinguished from one specializing in surgery.
3. a person who is skilled in the art of healing.

physician

/ fɪˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. a person legally qualified to practise medicine, esp one specializing in areas of treatment other than surgery; doctor of medicine
2. archaic.
   any person who treats diseases; healer

Other Words From

• phy·sician·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of physician¹

1175–1225; physic + -ian ( -ician ); replacing Middle English fisicien < Old French

Word History and Origins

Origin of physician¹

C13: from Old French fisicien, from fisique physic

Example Sentences

They and the physician plaintiffs seek to establish that Idaho’s law allows an abortion whenever a patient has a physical medical condition or complication that makes it unsafe to continue a pregnancy, has a condition exacerbated by pregnancy that can’t otherwise be easily treated, or is told about a fetal condition that is likely to be fatal after birth.

From Slate

In 2023 a Planned Parenthood affiliate and a physician challenged the state’s ban under the state constitution.

From Slate

According to the NHS Long Term Plan, there will be 12,000 physician and anaesthetic associates by 2036.

From BBC

“Any physician found doing so will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

From Salon

Jason Zaremski, a sports medicine physician at the University of Florida, says the technique is “legit, the real thing.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• doctor
• specialist
• surgeon