health care

noun
variants: or healthcare \ ˈhelth-​ˌker also  ˈheltth-​ How to pronounce healthcare (audio) \

Definition of health care

: efforts made to maintain or restore physical, mental, or emotional well-being especially by trained and licensed professionals usually hyphenated when used attributively health-care providers

Examples of health care in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kamala Harris’ rivals are making hay of her reversals on health care. NBC News, "It's been a turbulent last 20 years in American politics," 23 Aug. 2019 Swagel said the federal debt will rise even higher after the coming decade because of the nation’s aging population and higher spending on health care. Washington Post, "Report shows US deficit to exceed $1 trillion next year," 22 Aug. 2019 Much of that information appears in medical records, and some health care providers already use it to flag patients at potentially elevated suicide risk. Kelly Servick, Science | AAAS, "Suicide attempts are hard to anticipate. A study that tracks teens’ cellphone use aims to change that," 21 Aug. 2019 The joint-venture recognizes a commitment Palomar Health has made to provide health care services in North San Diego County. Ramona Sentinel, "Palomar Health breaks ground on rehabilitation hospital," 17 Aug. 2019 Health insurers are regarded as fierce defenders of health care dollars. Marshall Allen, ProPublica, "Senators Call for Closing “Loopholes” That Make Health Care Fraud Easy," 14 Aug. 2019 Thompson expects that some industries — such as health care — will use the benefit as a way to stem employee turnover. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, "The right job can help you pay down your student loans. Here's how to find it," 9 Aug. 2019 Biden said, suggesting that Harris’ position on health care has changed. Gromer Jeffers Jr., Dallas News, "Texan Julian Castro helps lead blistering attack on Joe Biden during Democratic presidential debate," 31 July 2019 In his current campaign, Sanders is pushing even harder to maker his vision of health care—and the government’s role in the economy—central to the party’s platform, no matter who the nominee is. Tim Fernholz, Quartz, "Bernie Sanders has an Elizabeth Warren problem at tonight’s debate," 30 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'health care.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of health care

1940, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for health care

health care

noun

English Language Learners Definition of health care

: the prevention or treatment of illness by doctors, dentists, psychologists, etc.

health care

noun
variants: or healthcare

Medical Definition of health care

: the maintaining and restoration of health by the treatment and prevention of disease especially by trained and licensed professionals (as in medicine, dentistry, clinical psychology, and public health) We developed penicillin, heart surgery and transplants, among many other breakthroughs that have transformed health care.— Thomas Fishbein Medicare payments for home healthcare will also be reduced by $40 billion over 10 years.— Peter Grier Pregnant health care workers should wash their hands more frequently than usual and be extra-careful when handling infectious objects.— Maria LaPiana often hyphenated when used before another noun health-care providershealth-care coverage