therapy
noun
ther·a·py
ˈther-ə-pē 
plural therapies
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, gene therapy, hormone therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, shock therapy, speech therapy
Friedrich K. Port2
: 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
Bruno Bettelheim and Alvin A. RosenfeldExamples 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
These towns are recognized for their restorative therapies, including thermal springs, salt mines, alpine air, and hydrotherapy.
—Sofia Markovich, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2025
Psychological evaluations, therapy and consistent evidence of gender dysphoria are required.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2025
Naturally, if it’s kicked up a desire for retail therapy, the concierge team can organize a trip to popular spots like the Morocco Mall, the largest shopping venue in Africa with over 350 stores, 40 restaurants and its own souk (an artisan marketplace).
—Tiffany Leigh, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
For families and neighbors affected by the deaths who may not be able to afford grief counseling or therapy, the program serves as both a mental health support and a remembrance for those who were lost.
—Keely Doll, The Courier-Journal, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for therapy
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.
Sofia Markovich, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2025
Psychological evaluations, therapy and consistent evidence of gender dysphoria are required.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2025
Naturally, if it’s kicked up a desire for retail therapy, the concierge team can organize a trip to popular spots like the Morocco Mall, the largest shopping venue in Africa with over 350 stores, 40 restaurants and its own souk (an artisan marketplace).
—Tiffany Leigh, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
For families and neighbors affected by the deaths who may not be able to afford grief counseling or therapy, the program serves as both a mental health support and a remembrance for those who were lost.
—Keely Doll, The Courier-Journal, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for therapy
Cite this Entry
“Therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/therapy. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
therapy
noun
ther·a·py
ˈther-ə-pē
plural therapies
: treatment of an abnormal state of the mind or body
Medical Definition
therapy
noun
ther·a·py
ˈther-ə-pē
plural therapies
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share