# healthcare

/ˈhɛɫθˌkɛɹ/ (US) · /hˈɛlθkeə/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/healthcare
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the set of services provided by doctors, nurses, and hospitals to keep people healthy. It includes everything from regular checkups to emergency surgery.

For teachers: the organized provision of medical services to maintain or improve physical and mental health. Often used to refer to the entire industry or the national system of medical care.

## Examples

- The government is investing more money in healthcare.
- Access to affordable healthcare remains a major topic of debate during the national election cycle.
- The transition to digital records has revolutionized healthcare by allowing specialists to share patient data instantly across different hospital departments.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the health care's cost" but "the cost of healthcare" — While 'healthcare' can be written as two words, it is rarely used in the possessive form with an apostrophe; use an 'of' phrase instead.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.