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private practice

private practice

33 3.9
Work of a doctor or lawyer who has their own office and does not work for an organization
  • noun
  • /ˈpraɪvɪt ˈpræktɪs/
translation icon : ejercicio privado
  • Dr. Winington has returned to his private practice serving patients in the community.
  • lawyers in private practice
  • work in private practice
  • go into private practice

I get a a call when I'm in private practice in Tennessee.

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Examples

  • Treatment groups are offered through the auspices of local treatment organizations or clinicians in private practice.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Steven Prasinos is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Woodbury, Connecticut.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Besides, the money comes when you go into private practice, right?

  • I could even see myself working in private practice one day.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • I'm in private practice now.

  • In 1988, I opened a private practice in my home, where it continues to this day.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Dr Winington has returned to his private practice.

  • One of the most interesting cases I've had... since I have been in private practice.

  • Fully 50 percent of all lawyers in private practice now work 2,400 hours a year or more.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Dr. B. Janet Hibbs is in private practice, specializing in family and couples therapy.

Synonyms

practice
vsprivate practice
404 3.4

A business where a doctor or lawyer works and sees clients

is the independent work done outside organisations or government

How Independent

private practice
33 3.9
to practice
  • US
281 3.6
group practice
  • Specialized
1 3.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

private + practice

The meaning is directly compositional: 'private' (not public/independent) modifies 'practice' (the professional business of a doctor or lawyer), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it means an independently run professional business. This adjective + noun pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English composition, making the phrase immediately understandable.

Etymology

Private practice comes from the image of a professional who opens a small office to see patients or clients by themselves. Private means 'on their own' and practice is the work they do every day, so the phrase means 'working independently' rather than 'for a hospital or company'.