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

Liz Weinandy, an outpatient dietitian and clinical instructor at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, told AARP the diet tends to draw a specific audience. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

The same dynamic influences decisions between freestanding ASCs and hospital outpatient departments. — Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Site-Neutral Milk Hotel The most consequential policy in Medicare’s recent outpatient rule is the cuts to drugs that hospitals get under the 340B discount program. — Bob Herman, STAT, 20 July 2026

Medicare also encompasses Part B for outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, and medical supplies, and Part D drug coverage. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 16 July 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