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
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for physician assistant 

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of physician assistant was in 1958

Dictionary Entries Near physician assistant

physician's assistant

physician assistant

physician-assisted suicide

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Physician assistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physician%20assistant. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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