patient

adjective pa·tient \ ˈpā-shənt \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Examples: patient in a Sentence

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

Not quite the employment consistency his brother is enjoying, but perhaps the White Sox will continue to be patient considering Trayce once was one of their top prospects as a second-round pick in 2009.

— john shea, San Francisco Chronicle, "Trayce Thompson, Klay’s brother, seeks permanent baseball home," 2 June 2018
But, that problem can't be solved with just a patient encounter with a provider, Suarez said.

— molly sullivan, sacbee, "How do you get a skeptical patient to test for cancer? UCD, health center target cultural barriers," 2 June 2018
Increasing numbers of Cleveland Clinic patients participate in shared appointments each year, and internal surveys suggest a high level of patient satisfaction, particularly in access to care.

— suzanne allard levingston, Washington Post, "Going to the doctor in a group means better health for some patients," 2 June 2018
The decision, first reported by the Houston Chronicle and ProPublica, followed a series of reports by the news outlets, which revealed the departure of several top physicians and an unusually high number of patient deaths in recent years.

— NBC News, "Houston hospital suspends renown heart transplant program following recent deaths," 2 June 2018
Twelve years of patient bridge-building has worked, Ahmed thinks.

— peter ford, The Christian Science Monitor, "How a mosque gained a foothold in a resistant British town," 1 June 2018
Dixon has declined to discuss specific allegations due to patient confidentiality.

— john bacon, USA TODAY, "Woman commits suicide after surgeon removes ovaries that were 'in the way' without consent," 31 May 2018
Osinoff said Wednesday the doctor never illegally supplied drugs, was never high while seeing patients and has never been the subject of a patient complaint.

— paul pringle, latimes.com, "Former USC medical school dean used hard drugs while employed at university, attorney says," 31 May 2018
Anaesthesiologists do their best to predict which patient groups will be problematic — the obese, smokers, pregnant women, and such — though there are always surprises.

— Longreads, "Somewhere Under My Left Ribs: A Nurse’s Story," 31 May 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Folfirinox is already standard treatment for patients whose pancreatic cancer has spread.

— lindsey tanner, BostonGlobe.com, "Study finds rare gain for tough-to-treat pancreatic cancer," 4 June 2018
About 400 people had tissue stored in the tank, according to attorneys for patients who are suing the clinic.

— catherine ho, San Francisco Chronicle, "Lawsuit: Maker of failed tank at SF fertility clinic has recalled other products," 1 June 2018
Absent treatment, the mortality rate for these patients, then as now, was effectively 100 percent.

— adam rogers, WIRED, "The Man Who Says Science Blew Its Best Shot at an AIDS Vaccine," 1 June 2018
Mr Carreyrou suggests Ms Holmes cared less for patients than about advancing her own interests and personal brand.

— The Economist, "The rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes, Silicon Valley’s startup queen," 31 May 2018
Less than a week later, Niyonsaba celebrated by showing up at the Prince Regent Charles hospital in Bujumbura, Burundi bearing gifts of rice, beans, sugar and soap for desperately poor patients.

— ken goe, OregonLive.com, "Malaria couldn't stop Francine Niyonsaba, who takes on Caster Semenya in the Prefontaine Classic 800," 24 May 2018
Hospitals often accept payment of less than $1,000 per image for similar MRIs for patients paying with private health insurance.

— jc reindl, Detroit Free Press, "Lawsuit: Attorney Mike Morse had secret ties to MRI center," 23 May 2018
And its use could lead to less intrusive and more effective diagnosis for patients.

— jonathan nylk, Scientific American, "Bendy Laser Beams Can Examine Human Tissue Like Never Before," 23 May 2018
Sodium bicarbonate, another indispensable product—essentially baking soda in solution—that is used in heart surgeries and for kidney-failure patients, was likewise in critical shortage last summer.

— erika fry, Fortune, "Critical Condition: Inside Pfizer’s Drug Supply Problem," 22 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of patient

see ¹patient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

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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

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patient

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Medical Dictionary

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medical Definition of patient

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