primary care

noun

: health care provided by a medical professional (such as a general practitioner, pediatrician, or nurse) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist
often used before another noun
a primary care physician

called also primary health care

compare secondary care, tertiary care

Examples of primary care in a Sentence

He provides primary care to inner-city patients.
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.
More than 100 million people in the U.S. don’t have a primary care provider, an especially large problem for older adults and those with chronic health conditions. Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 The health systems are asking people with flu-like symptoms to contact their primary care provider for more information. Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2025 These mobile clinics have primary care services for clients as young as 4 years old. Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025 The institute recommends speaking with a primary care physician about any concerning symptoms. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for primary care

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of primary care was in 1967

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Primary care.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primary%20care. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

primary care

noun
: health care provided by a medical professional (as a general practitioner or a pediatrician) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist for further treatment
often used attributively
primary care physicians
primary care practice
primary care medicine

called also primary health care

compare secondary care, tertiary care
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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