outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt How to pronounce outpatient (audio)
often attributive
Synonyms of outpatientnext
: 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.
Insurers argue that facility fees for outpatient visits burden patients and insurance companies with costs that do not improve the quality of care. —Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 24 July 2025 Humana said that rate is currently just above 85% for outpatient procedures. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 July 2025 Treatment usually includes the use of compression stockings or, in some cases, a minimally invasive outpatient procedure called venous ablation. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2025 The nonprofit plans to offer more than 360 outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment locations. —Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 17 July 2025 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 29 Jul. 2025.

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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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