outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt 

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

At least one consultant said that what’s coming is likely a multi-specialty cluster of outpatient doctors and imaging services, not a hospital. —Ariel Hart, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Like insurers, hospitals have also been merging and scooping up other providers of medical services, including doctors’ offices, outpatient facilities and labs. —Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026

Walmart will roll out clinical research sites this spring in a limited number of stores and former shuttered outpatient health center sites. —Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

The procedure is handled on an outpatient basis, with the appointment lasting about two hours. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outpatient

• impatient
• inpatient
• patient

Kids Definition

outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt 

: 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 

: a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment compare inpatient