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

While Cottonwood Creek offers a full range of treatments, Haven offers just outpatient services, including virtual treatment and partial hospitalization programs for adolescents, adults and older adults, Esparza said. — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 6 Aug. 2026

In the last three decades, as involuntary outpatient treatment for people with serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia have expanded to almost every state, the evidence for these programs’ efficacy has remained murky. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026

His address listed in those cases was an outpatient treatment center in Baltimore City. — Tara Lynch, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

Patients with a low-income subsidy in Medicare’s outpatient pharmaceutical benefit called Part D, who are used to paying little or nothing out-of-pocket for their medications, get no reduction. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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