psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try sə-ˈkī-ə-trē 

sī-

: a branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders

psychiatric

ˌsī-kē-ˈa-trik 

adjective

psychiatrically

ˌsī-kē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of psychiatry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Perhaps the bigger point Lin is trying to make is the matter of pride in the Asian diaspora, reflected in Irene’s attempts to brush Joe’s problems under the carpet and telling her friends that his visits to the shrink are, in fact, due of his interest in psychiatry. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 June 2025

The author also reveals a theory from professor of psychiatry Joel Nigg. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

But such findings are scant enough that a year before the conference, several high-profile academics published an article whose opening reads like a waving of the white flag for psychiatry itself. —Andrew Kay, Harpers Magazine, 28 May 2025

The Institute for Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being will bring together researchers across various fields from psychiatry and neurobiology to communication studies and social policy. —Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from French psychiatrie, from psychiatre psychiatrist, from psych- psych- + Greek iatros physician — more at -iatry

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for psychiatry

• gayatri
• neuropsychiatry
• orthopsychiatry

Kids Definition

psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try sə-ˈkī-ə-trē 

sī-

: a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the mind, emotions, or behavior

psychiatric

ˌsī-kē-ˈa-trik 

adjective

Medical Definition

psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try -trē 

plural psychiatries

: a branch of medicine that deals with the science and practice of treating mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders especially as originating in endogenous causes or resulting from faulty interpersonal relationships