OCD

abbreviation or noun

ˌō-ˌsē-ˈdē

: a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent obsessions or compulsions or both that cause significant distress, are time-consuming, and interfere with normal daily functioning : obsessive-compulsive disorder

The subjects of the experiment were 18 people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—unwanted and pointless but irresistible intrusive thoughts (e.g., fear of contamination by germs) and repetitive actions (e.g., handwashing or change-counting).—The Harvard Medical School Mental Health Letter

OCD is a mental health condition that "involves both obsessions and compulsions that take up a lot of time and get in the way of important activities, such as school, family life, extracurricular activities, developing friendships, and self-care," according to the International OCD Foundation.—Sarah D. Collins

Examples of OCD in a Sentence

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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.

Since childhood, Levasseur’s OCD has contributed to an extreme fear of germs or illness. — Kate Snow, NBC news, 9 June 2026 Postpartum depression is often used as a shorthand for any perinatal mood disorder, which can include anxiety and OCD. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 27 June 2026 Wanting to create a space where people could speak more openly, Lederer invited followers to join an online OCD support group. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Eddie Marsan also delivers a sympathetic turn as the sad sack dad worn down by the effects of capitalism and sometimes crippling OCD. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for OCD

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OCD

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“OCD.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/OCD. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

OCD

abbreviation or noun

ˌō-ˌsē-ˈdē

Childhood and adolescent obsessive-compulsive disorders are sometimes seen in dermatology practice. When present, OCD is most frequently manifested in younger patients as trichotillomania …—J. Y. Koo and L. L. Smith, Pediatric Dermatology

… drugs such as Prozac help relieve the symptoms of OCD, but 90 percent of medicated patients relapse when the drugs are withdrawn. More effective is behavioral therapy, which has a cure rate of up to 80 percent.—Josie Glausiusz, Discover

OCD

abbreviation or noun

Examples of OCD in a Sentence

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Cite this Entry

Medical Definition

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