patient

1 of 2

adjective

pa·​tient ˈpā-shənt 

1

: enduring pains or trials calmly or without complaint

They were patient in adversity.

2

: acting with calm or restraint under provocation or strain

was patient with the angry customer

3

: not hasty or impetuous : showing deliberation or restraint

… called for the historic divisions … to be healed through patient dialogue.

—Christopher Lamb

4

: able to persevere over a long period of time despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity

worked with patient attention to detail

5

a

: able or willing to bear

—used with of

… he was … patient of minor shortcomings …

—Mark Twain

b

: susceptible, admitting

patient of one interpretation

patient

2 of 2

noun

pa·​tient ˈpā-shənt 

1

a

: an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment

cancer patients

psychiatric patients

b

: the recipient of any of various personal services

… the massages and other treatments associated with being a patient at the spa here.

—Alan Cowell

2

: one that is acted upon

… are agents as well as patients and observers in the world …

—C. H. Whiteley

Synonyms of patient

Adjective

• stoic
• obedient
• passive
• subordinate
• forbearing
• long-suffering
• collected

Noun

• case
• victim

Examples of patient in a Sentence

Adjective

To pry apart violent Islamic radicals, the United States has to become knowledgeable about internal cleavages and be patient in exploiting them. —Samantha Power, New York Times Book Review, 29 July 2007

I pack them into the compartment for a visit, pack till it's full far beyond capacity and weep with them, share with them my scanty bit of good fortune, tell them I care, tell them be patient, tell them I'm on their side … —John Edgar Wideman, Harper's, December 2003

There's no sense being patient with people who make you wait, because they'll only make you wait longer the next time. —Andrew A. Rooney, And More by Andy Rooney, (1979) 1982

I hate having to stand in long lines. I'm just not very patient.

The teacher treated her students in a patient and understanding way.

“Aren't you finished yet?” “Be patient. I'll be done soon.”

Proofreading requires patient attention to detail.

They put in years of patient labor on the project.

Noun

Several patients were waiting to see the doctor.

the nurse asked the patient to change into a paper gown

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Lancers remained patient, chipping away until taking a 17-16 lead after three straight OLP errors, including Prior and Charlotte Wickstrand colliding on a ball, which knocked Wickstrand out for the set. —Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025

Health care workers have also violated patient confidentiality by disclosing patients’ sexuality and HIV status to family members, friends, neighbors, landlords or employers. —Robin Lin Miller, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025

Noun

In the lead-up to the election, even many of my liberal patients, people who typically lean left and value inclusion and growth, expressed deep concern about what a Mamdani win would mean. —Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

In my experience, most patients gravitate toward interventions on the milder end of the spectrum, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies, but even these can be problematic if taken to the extreme. —Jason Liebowitz, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English pacient, from Anglo-French, from Latin patient-, patiens, from present participle of pati to suffer; perhaps akin to Greek pēma suffering

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing patient

• index patient
• patient dumping
• patient zero
• private patient

Rhymes for patient

• impatient
• inpatient
• outpatient

Kids Definition

patient

1 of 2 adjective

pa·​tient ˈpā-shənt 

1

: putting up with pains or hardships calmly or without complaint

2

: showing calm self-control

3

: not hasty or reckless

4

: steadfast sense 2, persevering

years of patient labor

patiently adverb

patient

2 of 2 noun

: an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment

Medical Definition

patient

noun

pa·​tient ˈpā-shənt 

1

: a sick individual especially when awaiting or under the care and treatment of a physician or surgeon

the hospital is equipped to handle 500 patients

2

: a client for medical service (as of a physician or dentist)

a good practice with a large number of patients