psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses sī-ˈkō-ˌsēz 

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

Examples of psychosis in a Sentence

The patient suffers from some kind of psychosis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Zeizel explained people with psychosis have intermittent symptoms and can perform routine tasks even while suffering psychosis. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

How to seek support for postpartum symptoms Postpartum psychosis is rare, but help is available. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Researchers estimate that postpartum psychosis — which is more serious and less common than postpartum depression — afflicts 1 to 2 per 1,000 women after delivery. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Kimball noted the global impact of the case and resonance of issues of postpartum depression and psychosis, as organizers passed out countries’ flags intended to represent supporters across the world. — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for psychosis

• cirrhosis
• fibrosis
• gliosis
• hypnosis
• ichthyosis
• ketosis
• kurtosis
• lordosis
• meiosis
• miosis
• mitosis
• mycosis

Kids Definition

psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses -ˈkō-ˌsēz 

: a serious mental illness marked by loss of or greatly lessened ability to test whether what one is thinking and feeling about the real world is really true

Medical Definition

psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses -ˌsēz 

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