psychologist

noun

psy·​chol·​o·​gist sī-ˈkä-lə-jist 

plural psychologists

: a person who specializes in the study of mind and behavior or in the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders : a specialist in psychology

Examples of psychologist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Erin Westgate, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Florida who studies social cognition and what makes certain thoughts more engaging than others, says that such material reflects how the desire to understand ourselves can lead us to false but appealing answers. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2025

Developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s by renowned psychologists Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan, self-determination theory explores the pivotal role of motivation in shaping human behavior, both in personal life and professional careers. —Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Lisa Damour, the psychologist and podcast host, and the activist Gabriela Nguyen on protecting your happiness in the age of social media. —The New York Times, New York Times, 1 May 2025

This ubiquitous access to explicit content on smartphones is a major reason why many psychologists and pediatricians recommend waiting until eighth grade or even later before giving a child a smartphone. —Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing psychologist

• clinical psychologist

Rhymes for psychologist

• apologist
• biologist
• ecologist
• ethnologist
• geologist
• hydrologist
• neurologist
• oncologist
• pathologist
• philologist
• technologist
• urologist

Kids Definition

psychologist

noun

psy·​chol·​o·​gist

sī-ˈkäl-ə-jəst

: a specialist in psychology

Medical Definition

psychologist

noun

psy·​chol·​o·​gist sī-ˈkäl-ə-jəst 

: a specialist in psychology

especially : a practitioner of clinical psychology, counseling, or guidance