psychosis

noun psy·cho·sis \ sī-ˈkō-səs \

|Updated on: 21 Jul 2018

Definition of psychosis

plural psychoses play \sī-ˈkō-ˌsēz\

: a serious mental illness (such as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions

See psychosis defined for English-language learners

See psychosis defined for kids

Examples of psychosis in a Sentence

The patient suffers from some kind of psychosis.

Recent Examples of psychosis from the Web

There’s a huge tradition of comedians talking about, maybe not diagnosed things, but just talking about psychosis.

— trevor fraser, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Maria Bamford talks comedy ahead of show at The Plaza Live," 10 July 2018
To reduce the risk of psychosis and severe marijuana intoxication, even Amsterdam limits marijuana sales to products with a potency of less than 15 percent.

— timothy naimi, BostonGlobe.com, "Why marijuana policies in Massachusetts aren’t strict enough," 20 June 2018
DeLand said known side effects from the drug include homicidal and suicidal ideation and psychosis.

— heather nolan, NOLA.com, "Woman sentenced to probation for brandishing bat, gun at Mid-City Yacht Club customers," 31 May 2018
Parkinson’s disease psychosis consists of mental disturbances such as hallucinations and delusions.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "No change in FDA's position on Parkinson's drug Nuplazid," 27 Apr. 2018
Taken together, the risk of psychosis is four times higher in the heavy users when compared to non-users.

— dr. stephen mcleod-bryant, miamiherald, "Psychosis often the effect of long-term, recreational marijuana use," 15 June 2018
The state argued that his psychosis was caused by drugs.

— keri blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Lawyers argue whether Texas death row inmate who ate own eyeball too mentally ill to execute," 5 June 2018
The Cut spoke to a first-time mom about her experience of postpartum psychosis.

— alexa tsoulis-reay, The Cut, "I Was Convinced I Might Kill My Child," 31 May 2018
Her level of psychosis reduced her moral responsibility for the crime, the judge said.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Warm Springs woman sentenced to 13 years for shooting aunt and uncle," 29 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'psychosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of psychosis

New Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1847

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, schadenfreude, subliminal

PSYCHOSIS Defined for English Language Learners

psychosis

noun

Definition of psychosis for English Language Learners

: a very serious mental illness that makes you behave strangely or believe things that are not true

Medical Dictionary

psychosis

noun psy·cho·sis \ sī-ˈkō-səs \

medical Definition of psychosis

plural psychoses play \-ˌsēz\

: a serious mental illness (as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions

Learn More about psychosis

See words that rhyme with psychosis Spanish Central: Translation of psychosis Nglish: Translation of psychosis for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about psychosis

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up psychosis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

psychosis

Definition of psychosis

Examples of psychosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples of psychosis from the Web

Origin and Etymology of psychosis

Other Psychology Terms

PSYCHOSIS Defined for English Language Learners

psychosis

Definition of psychosis for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

psychosis

medical Definition of psychosis

Learn More about psychosis

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

imperturbable

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 8/17/2018

9 Words for Places People Call "Home"

'Banana Republic': A History

The Many Plurals of 'Octopus'

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

The Eponym Quiz

Spell It

SCRABBLE® Sprint

The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 8/17/2018

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

9 Words for Places People Call "Home"

Trending: Brennan: Trump's Claims are 'Hogwash'

Ghost Word

psychosis

Definition of psychosis

Examples of psychosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples of psychosis from the Web

Origin and Etymology of psychosis

Other Psychology Terms

PSYCHOSIS Defined for English Language Learners

psychosis

Definition of psychosis for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

psychosis

medical Definition of psychosis

Learn More about psychosis

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Good, The Bad, & The Semantically Imprecise - 8/17/2018

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

9 Words for Places People Call "Home"

Trending: Brennan: Trump's Claims are 'Hogwash'

Ghost Word