therapy

[ther-uh-pee]

noun

plural

therapies 

1. the treatment of disease or disorders, as by some remedial, rehabilitating, or curative process.

   speech therapy.

2. a curative power or quality.

3. psychotherapy.

4. any act, hobby, task, program, etc., that relieves tension.

therapy

/ ˈθɛrəpɪ /

noun

1. 1. the treatment of physical, mental, or social disorders or disease

   2. ( in combination )

      physiotherapy

      electrotherapy

therapy

1. Treatment intended to cure or alleviate an illness or injury, whether physical or mental.

Other Word Forms

• self-therapy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of therapy¹

1840–50; < New Latin therapīa < Greek therapeía healing (akin to therápōn attendant)

Word History and Origins

Origin of therapy¹

C19: from New Latin therapia, from Greek therapeia attendance; see _therapeutic

Example Sentences

There’s been “a dramatic increase in the number of clinical trials testing new therapies,” said Heather Cooper Ortner, president and chief executive of Alzheimer’s Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

“You all support off-label, untested, and irreversible hormonal ‘therapies’ for children,” he wrote.

From Salon

Her son "requires very specialist therapy" after he "had a really difficult start in life" prior to his adoption.

From BBC

“It’s like being in therapy all day, every day, talking about your life, writing about your life.”

From Los Angeles Times

There is group therapy as well as weekly one-to-one counselling sessions.

From BBC

Related Words

• analysis 
• cure 
• healing 
• medicine 
• remedy