nurse practitioner

noun

Synonyms of nurse practitionernext
: a registered nurse who is qualified through advanced training to assume some of the duties and responsibilities formerly assumed only by a physician
—abbreviation NP

Examples of nurse practitioner in a Sentence

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.
As many workers worry about the future of their jobs in the age of AI, nurse practitioners may be able to rest easy. — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 After sleeping on a bus bench and a few trips to the hospital, Lugo landed at Holliday's Helping Hands, or HHH, a network of interim housing facilities started by nurse practitioner Katina Holliday. — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Many states, including California, require nurse practitioners in most circumstances to work under a physician’s supervision when prescribing opioids. — Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 Huff Holmes, after Myles' death, began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, helped at a sober women's home and saw a nurse practitioner for her mental health, according to her attorney, Michael Jones. — Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nurse practitioner

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nurse practitioner was in 1967

Rhymes for nurse practitioner

See All Rhymes for nurse practitioner

Browse Nearby Words

nurse-midwife
nurse practitioner
nurser
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nurse practitioner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nurse%20practitioner. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

nurse practitioner

noun
: a registered nurse who through advanced training is qualified to assume some of the duties and responsibilities formerly assumed only by a physician
—abbreviation NP

called also nurse clinician

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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