outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt How to pronounce outpatient (audio)
Synonyms of outpatientnext
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
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.
The network’s temporary ambulance diversion for trauma, stroke and STEMI heart attack patients has also ended, according to the update, and outpatient pharmacies and community clinics have returned to normal operations. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2026 One other outpatient clinic dedicated to postpsychedelic difficulties was founded in Berlin in 2017, according to the center’s director, psychiatrist Tomislav Majić. — Dawn Fallik, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026 The next day, Jollotta learned that Clancy had gone to the ER but decided to remain outpatient. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the process involves hormone medications to stimulate egg development, monitoring through bloodwork and ultrasounds and an outpatient egg-retrieval procedure. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outpatient

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outpatient was in 1715

Rhymes for outpatient

See All Rhymes for outpatient

Browse Nearby Words

outpass
outpatient
outpayment
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Cite this Entry

“Outpatient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outpatient. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

outpatient

noun
out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt How to pronounce outpatient (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce outpatient (audio)
: a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment compare inpatient

More from Merriam-Webster on outpatient

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for outpatient

Nglish: Translation of outpatient for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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