patient

adjective pa·tient \ ˈpā-shənt \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

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

5 a : able or willing to bear —used with of

b : susceptible, admitting

patient of one interpretation

—

patiently

adverb

See patient defined for English-language learners

See patient defined for kids

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

Be patient, hold your place, and make attempts to add your size to your cart about once every minute. Feverishly clicking on the same link won't help.

— jake woolf, GQ, "Your Adidas Yeezy 500 Desert Rat "Blush" Buying Guide," 10 Apr. 2018
Ultimately, the issues will only be solved when there’s increased access to equitable, affordable, welcoming, patient-appropriate health care services — especially for HIV prevention and treatment.

— elly belle, Teen Vogue, "Young People Are at Risk for HIV/AIDS, Too," 10 Apr. 2018
The strong-armed Allen fits the AFC East, and the Bills can be patient with him, as AJ McCarron can start in 2018.

— scott patsko, cleveland.com, "NFL Mock Draft 2018 roundup: Sam Darnold, Saquon Barkley remain popular, but Browns trades still in play," 9 Apr. 2018
Oh, then there’s Kelley himself, with his graying goatee, kind eyes, and patient smile.

— margeaux sippell, BostonGlobe.com, "This shop is so small the customers have to stay outside," 7 Apr. 2018
Adams has posted false patient reviews for Gorski, who is a surgical oncologist.

— sarah jones, The New Republic, "Who’s Afraid of David Hogg?," 6 Apr. 2018
At her patient’s funeral, Kate encounters Palmer Dyson, a retired police detective from her hometown back in New Hampshire.

— tom nolan, WSJ, "Mysteries: Surviving a Trifecta of Traumas," 6 Apr. 2018
The clinics regularly send patient samples to the national program, which has a prominent research wing.

— jon cohen, Science | AAAS, "U.S. leprosy budget cut closes clinics, threatens research," 2 Apr. 2018
The latter was performed by the Hobart Police Department, and although the line was very long, everyone stayed patient.

— sue ellen ross, Post-Tribune, "Food, fun on display at YMCA's Healthy Kids Day," 31 Mar. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

patient Synonyms

patient

noun pa·tient \ ˈpā-shənt \

Definition of patient

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

See patient defined for English-language learners

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

Responsible physicians are reluctant to put their patients or their institutions on the hook for that bill.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "Helix Takes Clinical Genetic Testing Straight to Consumers," 10 Apr. 2018
Only 35 percent of our patients have a cancer diagnosis.

— hospice cincinnati, Cincinnati.com, "Eight little-known facts about hospice care that might surprise you," 9 Apr. 2018
Many of her patients are low-income Latinos, often with chronic issues: diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

— robert ito, Los Angeles Magazine, "Doctors Who Got Degrees Abroad Are Coming to L.A. to Work in Underserved Communities," 9 Apr. 2018
The paramedics parked their ambulance in downtown Los Angeles during the dark, predawn hours of Sunday, rushing off to help their patient.

— kate mather, latimes.com, "Thieves find siren song irresistible as another ambulance is stolen in L.A., the 2nd in a week," 9 Apr. 2018
On his own patients, Jones uses fat that's processed appropriately for safe and legal butt implants.

— lindsay weinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Cardi B's Illegal Butt Injections Could Have Killed Her, Says Plastic Surgeon," 9 Apr. 2018
But what keeps me going, even on the hardest days, are my patients.

— denise davidson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Local veterinarian shares stories of unforgettable patients," 8 Apr. 2018
One out of his 101 patients died in the hospital — a death rate of just 1 percent.

— karen weintraub, STAT, "At 88, this doctor won’t give up on a long-ignored treatment for strokes and heart attacks," 6 Apr. 2018
Staff at a medical clinic in Quinga abandoned their patients out of fear of being attacked.

— Longreads, "Where Have You Hidden the Cholera?," 5 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of patient

see ¹patient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

patient Synonyms

Synonyms

case;

Related Words

inpatient, outpatient;

rehabilitant;

sufferer, victim;

convalescent, nursling;

PATIENT Defined for English Language Learners

patient

adjective

Definition of patient for English Language Learners

: 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

noun

Definition of patient for English Language Learners

: a person who receives medical care or treatment

PATIENT Defined for Kids

patient

adjective pa·tient \ ˈpā-shənt \

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

adverb

patient

noun

Definition of patient for Students

: a person under medical care or treatment

Medical Dictionary

patient

noun pa·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

Learn More about patient

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patient

Definition of patient

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Origin and Etymology of patient

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PATIENT Defined for English Language Learners

patient

Definition of patient for English Language Learners

patient

Definition of patient for English Language Learners

PATIENT Defined for Kids

patient

Definition of patient for Students

patiently

patient

Definition of patient for Students

Medical Dictionary

patient

medical Definition of patient

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