psychiatrist

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​trist sə-ˈkī-ə-trist 

sī-

plural psychiatrists

: a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders : a specialist in psychiatry

Examples of psychiatrist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By the end of an hourlong conversation, Williams set the woman up with referrals to a psychiatrist, a therapist, legal help, and a case manager to determine if her child with autism was eligible for government services. — Scott Maucione, NPR, 27 July 2026

The butcher’s son in a nearby town became chief psychiatrist of the Central Intelligence Agency. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 July 2026

Hong Kong — Earlier this year, Xiao Ying was feeling anxious about an upcoming visit to her psychiatrist. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Ideally, psychiatrists and psychologists take into account interviews with a patient’s teachers and parents—or, in the case of adults, their siblings and friends. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

psychiatrist

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​trist

sə-ˈkī-ə-trəst, 

sī-

: a specialist in psychiatry

Medical Definition

psychiatrist

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​trist sə-ˈkī-ə-trəst  sī- 

: a physician specializing in psychiatry