psychiatrist

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​trist sə-ˈkī-ə-trist 

sī-

plural psychiatrists

: a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders : a specialist in psychiatry

Examples of psychiatrist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

More than a century ago, the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung made introversion and extraversion central to his theory of psychological types. — Paul Jones, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2026

They are diagnosed by psychiatrists, psychologists (not medical doctors) or, in some states, social workers (also not medical doctors). — Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2026

In the months leading up to the killings, Lindsay had been seeking professional medical help with different psychiatrists who prescribed her various medications. — Selena Barrientos, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

The defense’s most helpful witness on this front was the forensic psychiatrist Phillip Resnick, who has spent more than half a century studying maternal infanticide. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

psychiatrist

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​trist

sə-ˈkī-ə-trəst, 

sī-

: a specialist in psychiatry

Medical Definition

psychiatrist

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​trist sə-ˈkī-ə-trəst  sī- 

: a physician specializing in psychiatry