n :  health care provided by a medical professional (as a general practitioner or a pediatrician) with whom a patient has initial contact and by whom the patient may be referred to a specialist for further treatment - often used attributively <primary care physicians>  <primary care practice>  <primary care medicine>  - called also primary health care  .
 
 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2004.