outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt 

often attributive

: a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment compare inpatient

Examples of outpatient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those allegations and lawsuit are related to the nonprofit’s psychiatric residential treatment facility in Olathe, not its outpatient clinic. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026

For example, research consistently shows that hospital outpatient departments charge more due to facility fees, even when the quality of care is the same. —Anthem Blue Cross California, Daily News, 10 June 2026

That means investing in mobile crisis teams, strengthening partnerships with law enforcement, expanding psychiatric bed capacity and sustaining access to outpatient and community-based services. —Cathryn Nacario, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026

Healthcare Realty Trust , a real estate investment trust, focuses on medical outpatient buildings. —Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outpatient

• impatient
• inpatient
• patient

Kids Definition

outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt 

: a patient who visits a hospital for diagnosis or treatment without staying overnight compare inpatient

Medical Definition

outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt 

: a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment compare inpatient