psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try sə-ˈkī-ə-trē 

sī-

: a branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders

psychiatric

ˌsī-kē-ˈa-trik 

adjective

psychiatrically

ˌsī-kē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of psychiatry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Throughout most of our time as a species, stressful experiences were ones that could physically harm us, like being chased by a predator, Melissa Rosenkranz, PhD, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, tells SELF. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Dec. 2024

On a recent installment of The Joe Rogan Experience, the media personality welcomed guest Rick Strassman, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Fiona Barwick, a clinical associate professor in the psychiatry and behavioral sciences department at Stanford University, said wealthier communities like Portola Valley can be quieter and more restful. —Jovi Dai, The Mercury News, 2 Nov. 2024

Green’s willingness share his experience of seeking support is paving the way for greater acceptance of sports psychiatry and other mental health services across professional sports leagues. —Brook Choulet, M.d., Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from French psychiatrie, from psychiatre psychiatrist, from psych- psych- + Greek iatros physician — more at -iatry

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try sə-ˈkī-ə-trē 

sī-

: a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the mind, emotions, or behavior

psychiatric

ˌsī-kē-ˈa-trik 

adjective

Medical Definition

psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try -trē 

plural psychiatries

: a branch of medicine that deals with the science and practice of treating mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders especially as originating in endogenous causes or resulting from faulty interpersonal relationships