psychiatrist

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​trist sə-ˈkī-ə-trist How to pronounce psychiatrist (audio)
sī-
plural psychiatrists
: a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders : a specialist in psychiatry

Examples of psychiatrist 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.
Tasha Hedges took Xanax for 20 years to treat her anxiety and panic attacks, exactly as a psychiatrist had prescribed it. Christina Caron, New York Times, 14 May 2025 The low pay creates a disincentive for psychologists and psychiatrists to join insurance networks. Aneri Pattani, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025 Told from the fragmented and colliding perspectives of Smith, her psychiatrist, and her former lover, the film explores themes of fame, codependency, and self-destruction in a fractured American psyche. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 May 2025 Despite a follow-up with her psychiatrist, Susanna said, her daughter’s mental health worsened, bringing deputies to the house three times earlier this month. Calmatters, Mercury News, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for psychiatrist

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychiatrist was in 1869

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Psychiatrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychiatrist. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

psychiatrist

noun
psy·​chi·​a·​trist
sə-ˈkī-ə-trəst,
sī-
: a specialist in psychiatry

Medical Definition

psychiatrist

noun
psy·​chi·​a·​trist sə-ˈkī-ə-trəst How to pronounce psychiatrist (audio) sī- How to pronounce psychiatrist (audio)
: a physician specializing in psychiatry

More from Merriam-Webster on psychiatrist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!