Logo
dictionary thesaurus

therapy

noun
ther·​a·​py | \ ˈther-ə-pē How to pronounce therapy (audio) \
plural therapies

Definition of therapy

1 : therapeutic medical treatment of impairment, injury, disease, or disorder The number of new patients treated for end-stage renal disease … with dialysis or renal transplantation has continued to rise exponentially with an 8.4% annualized growth rate reaching more than 160,000 patients undergoing therapy in the United States in 1989.— Friedrich K. Port — see also art therapy, chelation therapy, chemotherapy, chemotherapy, gene therapy, hormone therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, shock therapy, speech therapy
2 : psychotherapy Furthermore, the psychotherapist knows that all actions in therapy are messages that need be decoded and understood regardless of the 'language' the patient uses.— Bruno Bettelheim and Alvin A. Rosenfeld
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about therapy

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of therapy in a Sentence

He is undergoing cancer therapy. talking over my problem with you has been good therapy

Recent Examples on the Web

 Cooper’s order forbids funds controlled by executive branch agencies from paying for such therapy for minors. — USA TODAY, "Emoji house, Saharan dust, turtle crossing: News from around our 50 states," 8 Aug. 2019 Spiritual therapy was unavailable to the Hapsburgs, so her battle against melancholy became physical. — David Netto, Town & Country, "Was This Photo of an Austrian Empress the World's First Paparazzi Photo?," 7 Aug. 2019 Cooper’s order forbids funds controlled by executive branch agencies from paying for such therapy for minors. — Washington Post, "N. Carolina governor moves to block conversion therapy funds," 2 Aug. 2019 The scientists also recorded therapy dogs during sessions to check the video for behaviors that signified stress. — Marissa Plescia, chicagotribune.com, "Doctors are finding new ways therapy dogs can help human patients. But how does the work affect the dogs?," 26 July 2019 The cases are the most dramatic moments yet in a Western renaissance for phage therapy. — B David Zarley, The Verge, "These superbug-fighting viruses are making a comeback," 5 July 2019 The two of us could take a yoga class at Krigsman, then head up to the Derby Street Shops for a little retail therapy. — Kevin Cullen, BostonGlobe.com, "The Trouble with Moll Traffic," 20 June 2019 Some places, like Radboud University’s Games for Emotional and Mental Health Lab in the Netherlands, are now studying the use of video games for therapy. — German Lopez, Vox, "Video game addiction is real, rare, and poorly understood," 6 Dec. 2018 In an attempt to get rid of Cheryl and her Nana Blossom, Penelope drugs Nana Blossom and pushes her down the stairs, and sends Cheryl to Sisters of Quiet Mercy for conversion therapy. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Everything That Happened On "Riverdale" Season 2," 8 Oct. 2018

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

See More

First Known Use of therapy

circa 1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for therapy

New Latin therapia, from Greek therapeia, from therapeuein

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for therapy

therapy

noun
How to pronounce therapy (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of therapy

: the treatment of physical or mental illnesses

See the full definition for therapy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

therapy

noun
ther·​a·​py | \ ˈther-ə-pē How to pronounce therapy (audio) \
plural therapies

Kids Definition of therapy

: treatment of a disorder or injury of the body or mind

therapy

noun
ther·​a·​py | \ ˈther-ə-pē How to pronounce therapy (audio) \
plural therapies

Medical Definition of therapy

: therapeutic treatment: as
a : remedial treatment of mental or bodily disorder
b : an agency (as treatment) designed or serving to bring about rehabilitation or social adjustment — see occupational therapy, recreational therapy

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

rescind

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!