psychoanalysis

noun

psy·​cho·​anal·​y·​sis ˌsī-kō-ə-ˈna-lə-səs 

: a method of analyzing psychic phenomena and treating emotional disorders that involves treatment sessions during which the patient is encouraged to talk freely about personal experiences and especially about early childhood and dreams

psychoanalyst

ˌsī-kō-ˈa-nə-list 

noun

Examples of psychoanalysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet as hurt gives way to cautious curiosity (and psychoanalysis), Erica begins to reacquaint herself with the pleasures of singledom, taking comfort in her friends, her daughter (Lisa Lucas), and a handsome artist named Saul (Alan Bates). —Marley Marius, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2025

Read: Looks like Mussolini, quacks like Mussolini The tools of psychoanalysis could actually help here, connecting the dreamer with the shape of the dream. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025

Psychodynamic theory, an evolution of psychoanalysis rooted in the work of Freud, Jung and Adler, offers valuable insights into human behavior in the workplace. —Nino Letteriello, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Along the way, there’s psychoanalysis (Leslie specializes in writing about human psychology, communication and creativity) and the occasional hair-curling discovery. —Kim Willis, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for psychoanalysis

• haemodialysis
• hemodialysis
• microanalysis
• analysis
• dialysis
• paralysis
• cryptanalysis
• urinalysis
• electrodialysis

Kids Definition

psychoanalysis

noun

psy·​cho·​anal·​y·​sis ˌsī-kō-ə-ˈnal-ə-səs 

plural psychoanalyses

-ˌsēz

: a method of explaining and treating mental and emotional disorders by having the patient talk freely about himself or herself and especially about dreams, problems, and early childhood memories and experiences

Medical Definition

psychoanalysis

noun

psy·​cho·​anal·​y·​sis ˌsī-kō-ə-ˈnal-ə-səs 

variants also psychanalysis

ˌsī-kə- 

plural psychoanalyses -ˌsēz 

1

: a method of analyzing psychic phenomena and treating mental and emotional disorders that is based on the concepts and theories of Sigmund Freud, that emphasizes the importance of free association and dream analysis, and that involves treatment sessions during which the patient is encouraged to talk freely about personal experiences and especially about early childhood and dreams

2

: a body of empirical findings and a set of theories on human motivation, behavior, and personality development that developed especially with the aid of psychoanalysis

3

: a school of psychology, psychiatry, and psychotherapy founded by Sigmund Freud and rooted in and applying psychoanalysis