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

That down-to-the-toes level of care is a feature of a program that has transformed the way MLK Community Healthcare treats diabetes, a chronic condition that affects one in every six South Los Angeles residents and nearly a quarter of MLK’s outpatients. —Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026

In Broward, Amazon One Medical patients will eventually be referred to specialists at the new Baptist Health South Florida hospital and medical offices in Sunrise or its outpatient specialty care centers in Plantation and Pembroke Pines. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 12 June 2026

Those allegations and lawsuit are related to the nonprofit’s psychiatric residential treatment facility in Olathe, not its outpatient clinic. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026

For example, research consistently shows that hospital outpatient departments charge more due to facility fees, even when the quality of care is the same. —Anthem Blue Cross California, Daily News, 10 June 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