Definition of patient
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
5a : able or willing to bear —used with ofb : susceptible, admitting patient of one interpretation
patiently
adverbRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of patient in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of patient from the Web
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The close, patient study of this planet has nothing to do with the passing fashions of political speech in the here and now.
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Baker is genial and patient, doling out compliments to his endearing, snarky, overmedicated, and underengaged charges, who range in age from kindergarten to high school.
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But Harper was patient and did not swing at two potential strike-three calls.
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Don’t send a New Yorker to sit on hold with the airline when the most patient Minnesotan will do.
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The authorities in Munich said the police would conduct identity checks and asked that residents be patient with the increased security measures.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'patient'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of patient
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: 14th century
Definition of patient
1a : an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment cancer patients psychiatric patientsb : 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
Examples of patient in a Sentence
Several patients were waiting to see the doctor.
the nurse asked the patient to change into a paper gown
Recent Examples of patient from the Web
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The patients who saw a high-intensity prescriber were 30 percent more likely to become long-term users, researchers said.
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In the meantime, said Sharon Terry, the president of the Genetic Alliance, a patient advocacy group, patients who may participate in clinical trials must begin a conversation.
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In a span of 32 hours last week, emergency workers in Louisville responded to almost two calls per hour for overdose patients, the highest rate so far this year.
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Defenders of the law also hope to mobilize groups like the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association to speak up for patients.
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The study’s authors theorized that Socratic questioning helped patients examine the validity of their negative thoughts and gain a broader, more realistic perspective on them.
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Expected to be completed in December 2018, the 123,000-square foot tower will house 90 updated patient rooms, as well as the flexibility to add an additional 30 inpatient beds.
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One patient might have died because of a delay in a cardiology consultation, though inspectors couldn’t definitively determine if the delay was the cause.
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A spokeswoman for Lee Memorial Hospital said that patients ranging in age from 12 to 27 began arriving about an hour after the shooting.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'patient'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of patient
see 1patient
First Known Use: 14th century
PATIENT Defined for English Language Learners
patient
playDefinition of patient for English Language Learners
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: able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people
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: done in a careful way over a long period of time without hurrying
patient
playDefinition of patient for English Language Learners
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: a person who receives medical care or treatment
PATIENT Defined for Kids
Definition of patient for Students
: able to or showing the ability to remain calm when dealing with a difficult or annoying situation, task, or person a patient response a patient teacher
patiently
adverbDefinition of patient for Students
: a person under medical care or treatment
Medical Dictionary
patient
playMedical Definition of patient
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
Learn More about patient
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for patient Spanish Central: Translation of patient Nglish: Translation of patient for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of patient for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patient
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