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

And while the city is home to one of the top outpatient orthopedic surgery and cardiology hospitals, healthcare in Lynchburg is about five percent above the national average. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026

The hospital has both inpatient and outpatient facilities, and accepts patients regardless of ability to pay. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

In outpatient medicine, decisions move quickly. —Holland Haynie, STAT, 21 Apr. 2026

Following the March 2024 incident, Guzman was ordered to participate in an outpatient program overseen by a Douglas County psychiatrist, who would track her medication and report any noncompliance to the courts. —Selina Guevara, NBC news, 19 Apr. 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