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outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt How to pronounce outpatient (audio)
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.
The student will undergo inpatient rehabilitation therapy for several more weeks in Houston, and may face up to two years of outpatient rehab. Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025 The nation added 23,000 jobs in ambulatory health care services, a category that includes doctor and dental offices, laboratories, home health care services and other outpatient care. Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025 Havenwyck Hospital provides inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services to adult, children and adolescent patients. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 17 Nov. 2025 Nearly half of the plans do not cover outpatient prescription drugs and 40% do not cover mental health services, according to KFF. Peter Whoriskey The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 16 Nov. 2025 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 27 Nov. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on outpatient

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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