patient

1 of 2

adjective

pa·​tient ˈpā-shənt 

1

: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint

2

: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain

3

: not hasty or impetuous

4

: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity

5

a

: able or willing to bear

—used with of

b

: susceptible, admitting

patient of one interpretation

patient

2 of 2

noun

pa·​tient ˈpā-shənt 

1

a

: an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment

cancer patients

psychiatric patients

b

: the recipient of any of various personal services

2

: one that is acted upon

are agents as well as patients and observers in the world

—C. H. Whiteley

Synonyms

Adjective

• forbearing
• long-suffering
• stoic
• stoical
• tolerant
• uncomplaining

Noun

• case

Examples of patient in a Sentence

Adjective

To pry apart violent Islamic radicals, the United States has to become knowledgeable about internal cleavages and be patient in exploiting them. —Samantha Power, New York Times Book Review, 29 July 2007

I pack them into the compartment for a visit, pack till it's full far beyond capacity and weep with them, share with them my scanty bit of good fortune, tell them I care, tell them be patient, tell them I'm on their side … —John Edgar Wideman, Harper's, December 2003

There's no sense being patient with people who make you wait, because they'll only make you wait longer the next time. —Andrew A. Rooney, And More by Andy Rooney, (1979) 1982

I hate having to stand in long lines. I'm just not very patient.

The teacher treated her students in a patient and understanding way.

“Aren't you finished yet?” “Be patient. I'll be done soon.”

Proofreading requires patient attention to detail.

They put in years of patient labor on the project.

Noun

Several patients were waiting to see the doctor.

the nurse asked the patient to change into a paper gown

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Physicians suffering from burnout are more than twice as likely to be involved in patient safety incidents than physicians who are not suffering from burnout. —Gil Press, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Despite increasing residency programs, student debt forgiveness, and tuition-free medical school, California is unlikely to meet patient demand, observers say. —Bernard J. Wolfson and Vanessa G. Sánchez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Noun

Many Turkish clinics offer all-inclusive packages that cover accommodation, airport transfers, and post-operative care, making the process smoother for international patients. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025

Sources said hundreds of unread X-rays conducted as part of the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, the NIOSH program that screens and monitors the respiratory health of miners, remain in limbo, with no doctors to analyze the results and report them to patients. —Dr. Mark Abdelmalek, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English pacient, from Anglo-French, from Latin patient-, patiens, from present participle of pati to suffer; perhaps akin to Greek pēma suffering

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing patient

• index patient
• patient dumping
• patient zero
• private patient

Rhymes for patient

• impatient
• inpatient
• outpatient

Kids Definition

patient

1 of 2 adjective

pa·​tient ˈpā-shənt 

1

: putting up with pains or hardships calmly or without complaint

2

: showing calm self-control

3

: not hasty or reckless

4

: steadfast sense 2, persevering

years of patient labor

patiently adverb

patient

2 of 2 noun

: an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment

Medical Definition

patient

noun

pa·​tient ˈpā-shənt 

1

: a sick individual especially when awaiting or under the care and treatment of a physician or surgeon

the hospital is equipped to handle 500 patients

2

: a client for medical service (as of a physician or dentist)

a good practice with a large number of patients