physical therapy

noun

1

: therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

2

plural physical therapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physical therapy

[Andrea] Behrman said the center's work consists of physical therapies aimed at "retraining" the spine in an effort to improve strength and mobility.

—Deborah Yetter

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

Examples of physical therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Treatments — including medication, physical therapy and surgery — can help manage many of these symptoms, but none has been shown to change the underlying course of the disease. — Jennifer Fields, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Young children can rapidly outgrow dosages for important medications or miss the chance to manage a condition with physical therapy before needing surgery. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

Analysts see multiple ways for the digital physical therapy company to keep growing, including new product adoption and higher member participation. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

That’s the lane where red light is most likely to become routine, billed alongside physical therapy and pain management, rather than replacing anything. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for physical therapy

• immunotherapy
• pharmacotherapy
• physiotherapy
• radiotherapy
• brachytherapy
• chemotherapy
• cryotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• hypnotherapy
• monotherapy
• phototherapy
• psychotherapy

Kids Definition

physical therapy

noun

: the treatment of disease, injury, or disability especially by massage, exercise, water, or heat

Medical Definition

physical therapy

noun

1

: therapy that is used to preserve, enhance, or restore movement and physical function impaired or threatened by disease, injury, or disability and that utilizes therapeutic exercise, physical modalities (such as massage and electrotherapy), assistive devices, and patient education and training

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy

2

plural physical therapies : a therapeutic treatment utilized in physical therapy

—abbreviation PT

called also physiotherapy