psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try sə-ˈkī-ə-trē How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
sī-
: a branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders
psychiatric
ˌsī-kē-ˈa-trik How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
adjective
psychiatrically
ˌsī-kē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
adverb

Examples of psychiatry 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.
Whimsy offers an escape from the more performative aspects of social media, Nassir Ghaemi, a psychiatry professor, said to the Times. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 17 June 2026 Michael Fanselow, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, has spent his career studying this dynamic. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 The ensuing court battle and decision from the California Supreme Court would forever change the nature of doctor-patient confidentiality in psychiatry, infectious disease, and even genomics. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 25 June 2026 In 1977, he was named professor of psychiatry and medical humanities, and in 1995, he was appointed as a professor of social ethics in the School of Education. — ABC News, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for psychiatry

Word History

Etymology

probably from French psychiatrie, from psychiatre psychiatrist, from psych- psych- + Greek iatros physician — more at -iatry

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychiatry was in 1828

Rhymes for psychiatry

See All Rhymes for psychiatry

Browse Nearby Words

psychiatrist
psychiatry
psychic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

psychiatry

noun
psy·​chi·​a·​try sə-ˈkī-ə-trē How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
sī-
: a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the mind, emotions, or behavior
psychiatric
ˌsī-kē-ˈa-trik How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

psychiatry

noun
psy·​chi·​a·​try -trē How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
plural psychiatries
: a branch of medicine that deals with the science and practice of treating mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders especially as originating in endogenous causes or resulting from faulty interpersonal relationships

More from Merriam-Webster on psychiatry

Nglish: Translation of psychiatry for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about psychiatry

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