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 45,000-square-foot campus will have 100 inpatient beds and an outpatient hub with follow-up support. — Sarah Liese, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 For the safety of myself, his brothers and sisters, and for his own well-being, he was placed in a facility following years of outpatient treatment which proved insufficient for his needs. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 The facility will feature academic learning spaces and outpatient services, including same-day surgery and diagnostic imaging. — Florida International University, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Those allegations and lawsuit are related to the nonprofit’s psychiatric residential treatment facility in Olathe, not its outpatient clinic. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 11 June 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 7 Jul. 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

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