therapy

American  

[ther-uh-pee] / ˈθɛr ə pi /

noun

therapies plural

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.

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therapy British  

/ ˈθɛrəpɪ /

noun

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

   2. ( in combination )

      physiotherapy

      electrotherapy

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therapy Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• self-therapy
  noun

Etymology

Origin of therapy

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

Explanation

Therapy is the act of caring for someone, or the method of caring. If you have a rare disease, your doctor's therapy will hopefully cure you. Therapy comes from the Greek θεραπεία, for "healing." If someone tells you she's "in therapy," she's probably talking about a psychological kind of healing. But if she's getting physical therapy, then she's getting help with a bone or muscle problem. If someone suggests an experimental therapy, that's a mode of treatment that's new. Sometimes if something non-medical makes you feel better, we call it a kind of therapy. You might like chocolate therapy, for example.

Example Sentences

Japanese medical startup Sound Wave Innovation, which aims to cure Alzheimer’s disease with ultrasound therapy, has raised about $17 million from investors, including Singapore-based venture capital firm iGlobe Partners.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

The initiative encourages clinicians to rely on non-drug treatments like therapy or nutrition and exercise.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

“A prescription is accessible in a way that a weekly therapy appointment is not,” Slater explained.

From Salon • May 18, 2026

While speech therapy was vital for Annette, RCSLT's State of the Nation Report for Wales said lack of access to support affects people of all ages.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

I ice my shin and do my physical therapy stretches when Mom reminds me to, but otherwise, I don’t bother.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

• analysis
• cure
• healing
• medicine
• remedy