psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses sī-ˈkō-ˌsēz 

: a serious mental illness (such as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions

Examples of psychosis in a Sentence

The patient suffers from some kind of psychosis.

Recent Examples on the Web

The defense maintained that Andrea was not guilty by reason of insanity, presenting extensive medical records and psychiatric testimony documenting severe postpartum psychosis. —Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 6 Jan. 2026

Doctors stress this does not mean chatbots cause psychosis. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026

Kleiger is a renowned author of three novels and six professional books on the Rorschach test, psychosis, and bipolar disorders. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

Others have linked the drug to higher rates of depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, cognitive impairment, poor academic performance, cardiovascular problems and more. —Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for psychosis

• cirrhosis
• fibrosis
• gliosis
• hypnosis
• ichthyosis
• ketosis
• kurtosis
• lordosis
• meiosis
• miosis
• mitosis
• mycosis

Kids Definition

psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses -ˈkō-ˌsēz 

: a serious mental illness marked by loss of or greatly lessened ability to test whether what one is thinking and feeling about the real world is really true

Medical Definition

psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses -ˌsēz 

: a serious mental illness (as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions