outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt How to pronounce outpatient (audio)
Synonyms of outpatientnext
often attributive
: a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment compare inpatient

Examples of outpatient 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.
For patients already dealing with pain, fatigue and fear, that outpatient approach may feel less overwhelming than a major hospital procedure. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026 There's also outpatient therapy, intensive day programming for women experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and holistic services like sound healing. Breana Pitts, CBS News, 11 May 2026 Here, private insurers receive a set monthly fee per enrollee from the government to cover health services, including hospital, outpatient and physician services as well as in most plans, prescription drug coverage, all integrated under one insurer. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026 The team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and dietitians, with treatment options such as inpatient hospitalization, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, medication management and counseling, the news release said. Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for outpatient

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outpatient was in 1715

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outpatient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outpatient. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

outpatient

noun
out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt How to pronounce outpatient (audio)
: a patient who visits a hospital for diagnosis or treatment without staying overnight compare inpatient

Medical Definition

outpatient

noun
out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt How to pronounce outpatient (audio)
: a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment compare inpatient

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