1
: one that heals
plant extracts used by herbalist healers
Time is a great healer.
2
: a Christian Science practitioner

Examples of healer 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.
The world of spellwork scams has been documented at length on Reddit, where users report paying anonymous healers for palm readings and magical cleansings. Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Märtha Louise, who was previously married for 14 years, in 2024 wed Durek Verrett, an American who describes himself as a shaman and a healer on his website. Jan M. Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Most states went along, and Idaho further broadened its exemption in 1976 to not only keep faith healers from going to jail if their children died, but also to keep their children from being placed in foster care solely for lack of medical care. Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026 Related Stories The film follows a woman facing menopause who turns to a folk healer who draws her into a series of increasingly ridiculous rituals, driving her to the edge of madness in search of her own liberation. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for healer

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of healer was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Healer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/healer. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

: one that heals
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