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.
Extensivists followed patients across inpatient and outpatient settings. Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 Burnout, grief, trauma, addiction and mental health challenges are pushing more Americans to look beyond traditional outpatient care — and recovery retreats are stepping into that gap. Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026 The center describes its three-week immersion as a way to develop, in a condensed window, the practices and behaviors that might otherwise take years to build through outpatient therapy alone. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026 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 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 31 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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