clinic

1 of 2

noun

clin·​ic ˈkli-nik How to pronounce clinic (audio)
Synonyms of clinicnext
1
a
: a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
b
: a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
2
: a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
3
: a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge
writing clinics
golf clinics
4
: a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates
a legal clinic
5
: an exemplary display or performance
put on a clinic in the tournament

-clinic

2 of 2

adjective combining form

1
: inclining : dipping
2
: having (so many) oblique intersections of the axes
triclinic

Examples of clinic in a Sentence

Noun The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes. He checked into a drug rehab clinic. The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain. A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Tamela Peterson, the clinic’s owner, and Gary Marken, the facility’s primary management assistant, each face a single charge of second-degree murder or involuntary manslaughter. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 In Colorado, the number of methadone clinics more than doubled, from 25 to 54 in five years. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026 In March, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health ended clinical services at seven of its public health clinic sites after losing $50 million in funding. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The clinic said changing temperatures can cause snakes to move around more, increasing the chances of encounters with people and pets. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clinic

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean

Adjective combining form

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek klinein

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of clinic was in 1819

Phrases Containing clinic

Rhymes for clinic

See All Rhymes for clinic

Browse Nearby Words

-clinia
clinic
-clinic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clinic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinic. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

clinic

noun
clin·​ic ˈklin-ik How to pronounce clinic (audio)
1
: a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
2
: a group meeting for teaching a certain skill and working on individual problems
a reading clinic
3
: a place for the treatment of people needing medical help who do not stay overnight
Etymology

Noun

from French clinique "medical instruction at a hospital bed," from Greek klinikē "medical practice at a sickbed," derived from klinē "bed," from klinein "to lean, recline" — related to climate, climax

Medical Definition

clinic

noun
clin·​ic ˈklin-ik How to pronounce clinic (audio)
1
a
: a session or class of medical instruction in a hospital held at the bedside of patients serving as case studies
b
: a group of selected patients presented with discussion before doctors (as at a convention) for purposes of instruction
2
a
: an institution connected with a hospital or medical school where diagnosis and treatment are made available to outpatients
b
: a form of group practice in which several physicians (as specialists) work in cooperative association

More from Merriam-Webster on clinic

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for clinic

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clinic

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