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pa·tient | \ ˈpā-shənt 
\
\Definition of patient
(Entry 1 of 2)
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 of
b : susceptible, admitting patient of one interpretation
patient
nounpa·tient | \ ˈpā-shənt \
\Definition of patient (Entry 2 of 2)
1a : 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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for patient
Synonyms: Adjective
Synonyms: Noun
Antonyms: Adjective
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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
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective And fashion influencers don’t accept excuses, condescension, or patronizing pleas to be patient, because really, change is forthcoming.
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National Geographic, "The idea of beauty is always shifting. Today, it’s more inclusive than ever.," 7 Jan. 2020 Although there are some good tutorials, a helpful/patient mentor can guide you through the painfully slow process.
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Tyler Freel, Outdoor Life, "Why YouTube Videos Don’t Make You A Hunter," 7 Jan. 2020 But much more evolution is needed to provide sustainable patient access to advanced therapies.
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Amy Duross, STAT, "To make advanced therapies, we need to industrialize personalization," 23 Dec. 2019 That means fans like yourself might need to be patient.
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Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "Warriors mailbag: Chances of a Karl-Anthony Towns trade? Projected win total?," 31 Dec. 2019 Even if aspirin offers only slight improvements in patient outcomes, prescribing it widely could mean saving hundreds of thousands of lives over decades.
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Oliver Staley, Quartz, "Aspirin can help stem the tide of stroke. Why aren’t more doctors prescribing it?," 30 Dec. 2019 In Zambia, stroke is treated as a chronic condition, and patient care is focused on preventing future occurrences.
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Oliver Staley, Quartz Africa, "Zambia has 17 million people, a stroke epidemic, and no neurologists," 30 Dec. 2019 But be patient – betting is heavy on the Avs side; a 2-to-1 play could be there by puck drop.
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Esten Mclaren, USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, "Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets," 21 Dec. 2019 Steer clear of temptations, be patient and play the long game.
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Magi Helena, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Dec. 13, 2019: Happy birthday Steve Buscemi; Scorpio, watch what you say," 13 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun It is designed for hemophilia patients to make the protein missing for blood-clotting.
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Jared S. Hopkins, WSJ, "BioMarin Explores Pricing Experimental Gene Therapy at $2 Million to $3 Million," 16 Jan. 2020 Park Ave #Cudahy | BN 13 and 3 units on-scene elementary school assessing multiple patients after apparent fuel dump by aircraft on final approach to LAX hits playground.
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Tara Law, Time, "At Least 20 California Children Injured After an Aircraft Apparently Dumped Jet Fuel on Elementary School Playground," 16 Jan. 2020 From late 2013 until this spring, the program performed 6,500 CT scans on eligible patients.
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Anne Saker, Cincinnati.com, "More scans for lung cancer are turning the corner on the No. 1 cancer killer in Kentucky," 16 Jan. 2020 Now, about 4,400 patients visit the clinic in a year’s time.
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Washington Post, "Planned Parenthood expanding Annapolis health center," 15 Jan. 2020 As of Thursday, six patients remain in critical condition.
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Nectar Gan, CNN, "China's new SARS-like virus has spread to Thailand, but we still know very little about it," 15 Jan. 2020 Compassion & Choices in its suit filed in 2016 said legalizing the practice, referred to as medical aid in dying or MAID, would help terminally ill patients avoid needless suffering.
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USA TODAY, "Expulsion at end of rainbow, Benedict Arnold, Batman thief: News from around our 50 states," 15 Jan. 2020 Park Avenue Elementary in Cudahy took the brunt of the fuel hit, with 31 patients treated there.
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CBS News, "Feds investigating Delta flight that dumped jet fuel on California schools," 15 Jan. 2020 At the time of the director’s letter to lawmakers, 59 patients were waiting in local hospitals to get into the state hospital.
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oregonlive, "Oregon asks for $20 million to tackle mental illness crisis," 14 Jan. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
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More Definitions for patient
patient
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of patient
(Entry 1 of 2)
: able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people
: done in a careful way over a long period of time without hurrying
patient
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of patient (Entry 2 of 2)
: a person who receives medical care or treatment
See the full definition for patient in the English Language Learners Dictionary
patient
adjectivepa·tient | \ ˈpā-shənt \
\Kids Definition of patient
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
patient
nounKids Definition of patient (Entry 2 of 2)
: a person under medical care or treatment
patient
nounpa·tient | \ ˈpā-shənt \
\Medical 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
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Time Traveler for patient
The first known use of patient was in the 14th century
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