psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses sī-ˈkō-ˌsēz 

: a serious mental illness (such as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions

Examples of psychosis in a Sentence

The patient suffers from some kind of psychosis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Diana, whose religious psychosis worsens throughout the play, is one of the more tragic characters, and Woodley is pitch perfect in a role that requires balancing the comedy with these darker undertones. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024

The third doctor suggested that Corcoran be evaluated at a psychiatric facility where experts can observe whether psychosis contributed to his outburst. —Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Dec. 2024

A broad spectrum of genres was on display, from Beth Park’s Wild Animal, a thriller that grapples with postpartum psychosis, to Julia Jackman’s sidesplitting irreverent comedy Pigs, which sees three generations come together to slurp buckets of wine and squabble over a valuable heirloom. —Nina-Sophia Miralles, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

The mounting oppression and untreated psychosis come together to tell the origin story of a haunted house. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses -ˈkō-ˌsēz 

: a serious mental illness marked by loss of or greatly lessened ability to test whether what one is thinking and feeling about the real world is really true

Medical Definition

psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses -ˌsēz 

: a serious mental illness (as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions