gp

Everyday

1. (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand) GP stands for general practitioner: a family doctor who sees people for all kinds of illness at a local surgery or clinic, and sends them to specialists when needed. tree →
2. GP can also stand for Grand Prix, a big motor race. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life you book an appointment with your GP for a cough, a rash, or a check-up; the GP may write a prescription. In the USA people say "family doctor" or "primary care doctor". In safety lessons, pupils learn: for an emergency ring the emergency number, not the GP. Phrases: see your GP, the GP surgery, ring the GP, GP appointment.

Examples

• Mum took me to the GP because of my earache. tree →
• The GP gave me a prescription for medicine. tree →
• I have a GP appointment at the surgery after school. tree →
• Our GP knows our whole family. tree →
• If it's an emergency, call an ambulance, not the GP. tree →
• Lewis Hamilton won the Brazilian GP. tree →

Note

Written in capitals: GP; say "jee-pee". Countable: a GP, the GPs. In the UK the doctor's place is called a "surgery" even though no operations happen there.