psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try sə-ˈkī-ə-trē 

sī-

: a branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders

psychiatric

ˌsī-kē-ˈa-trik 

adjective

psychiatrically

ˌsī-kē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of psychiatry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, a professor of psychiatry at Washington University, studies how online platforms affect self-harm and suicide risk. — Laurie Mermet, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2026

The Link Between Sleep and Chronic Pain Daniel Clauw, MD, a professor of anesthesiology, medicine, and psychiatry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, says the results fit with what pain experts already know about sleep and pain. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 1 July 2026

Michael Fanselow, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, has spent his career studying this dynamic. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026

As the authors indicate, these opportunities are already being leveraged in some of the most critical specialities, including across psychiatry, cardiology, oncology, and infectious diseases. — Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from French psychiatrie, from psychiatre psychiatrist, from psych- psych- + Greek iatros physician — more at -iatry

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for psychiatry

• neuropsychiatry
• orthopsychiatry
• podiatry

Kids Definition

psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try sə-ˈkī-ə-trē 

sī-

: a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the mind, emotions, or behavior

psychiatric

ˌsī-kē-ˈa-trik 

adjective

Medical Definition

psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try -trē 

plural psychiatries

: a branch of medicine that deals with the science and practice of treating mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders especially as originating in endogenous causes or resulting from faulty interpersonal relationships