outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt 

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

For example, a study published in The American Journal of Managed Care last April found that colonoscopies performed in hospital outpatient departments were approximately 55 percent more expensive than colonoscopies performed in ambulatory surgery centers. —Alexis Kayser, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025

And those first two Medigap plans should not be confused with two basic building blocks of Medicare that everyone uses — Part A (hospitalization) and Part B (outpatient services). —Mark Miller, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

More than 9 million veterans are enrolled in healthcare through VHA, which provides care at 1,400 hospitals and outpatient clinics designed to meet the needs of former service members. —Anthony J. Principi, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2025

Capital investment to build out outpatient access is substantial. —David Chou, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outpatient

• impatient
• inpatient
• patient

Kids Definition

outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt 

: 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 

: a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment compare inpatient