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

Ryan, a school psychologist at Oyster River Middle School in Durham, was reportedly diagnosed with glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer, according to the New York Post. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Although Erik and Lyle initially denied the crime and claimed that a third party had murdered their parents, they were eventually arrested after Erik confessed to the murders to his psychologist. —Caroline Blair, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025

You might be caught in what psychologists call the approach-avoidance conflict: when you’re both drawn to a goal and repelled at the same time. —Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

In 1990, they were arrested after Erik confessed to his psychologist. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 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