inpatient

noun

in·​pa·​tient ˈin-ˌpā-shənt How to pronounce inpatient (audio)
Synonyms of inpatientnext
: a hospital patient who receives lodging and food as well as treatment compare outpatient

Examples of inpatient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Emergency patients may wait for inpatient beds, nurses become overloaded and surgeries are delayed. — Eugene Litvak, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 These include specialty pharmacy claims, inpatient admission, chronic disease treatment plans and claims related to complex surgical procedures. — Bruce Roffe, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 However, both Tufts and psychiatrist Alia Goodheart -- who treated Clancy during a brief inpatient stay -- told jurors on Friday that Clancy did not show signs of psychosis during their sessions. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 The Florida Hospital Association reports that uninsured inpatient admissions at member hospitals rose more than 20% year over year. — Rocky McCormick, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inpatient

Word History

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inpatient was in 1738

Rhymes for inpatient

See All Rhymes for inpatient

Browse Nearby Words

in patches
inpatient
in patrimonio
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inpatient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inpatient. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inpatient

noun
in·​pa·​tient ˈin-ˌpā-shənt How to pronounce inpatient (audio)
: a hospital patient who receives lodging and food as well as treatment compare outpatient

Medical Definition

inpatient

noun
in·​pa·​tient ˈin-ˌpā-shənt How to pronounce inpatient (audio)
: a hospital patient who receives lodging and food as well as treatment compare outpatient

More from Merriam-Webster on inpatient

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inpatient

Nglish: Translation of inpatient for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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