psychologist

noun

psy·​chol·​o·​gist sī-ˈkä-lə-jist How to pronounce psychologist (audio)
plural psychologists
: a person who specializes in the study of mind and behavior or in the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders : a specialist in psychology

Examples of psychologist 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.
He was particularly influenced by the mid-century developmental psychologist Erik Erikson, who believed that life consists of eight stages of development, each characterized by a central psychosocial conflict. — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 With the help of team psychologist Dr Pippa Grange, England cultivated a team ethos in a manner that was incongruous to generations before them — and felt somewhat jarring, based on English societal norms. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026 Students invest years of training and often accumulate substantial educational debt to become psychologists, counselors and psychiatrists. — Wayne Lonstein, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Neither McGarrahan nor a psychologist hired by the defense concluded Xavier’s symptoms meet the threshold for any mental illness diagnosis. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for psychologist

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychologist was in 1871

Phrases Containing psychologist

Rhymes for psychologist

See All Rhymes for psychologist

Browse Nearby Words

psychologism
psychologist
psychologistic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Psychologist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychologist. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

psychologist

noun
psy·​chol·​o·​gist
sī-ˈkäl-ə-jəst
: a specialist in psychology

Medical Definition

psychologist

noun
psy·​chol·​o·​gist sī-ˈkäl-ə-jəst How to pronounce psychologist (audio)
: a specialist in psychology
especially : a practitioner of clinical psychology, counseling, or guidance

More from Merriam-Webster on psychologist

Nglish: Translation of psychologist for Spanish Speakers

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