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

Florence, its ’70s protagonist, is a psychoanalysis student who spends her free time with consciousness-raising groups. —Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024

In 1972, Florence, a feminist studying psychoanalysis and living in what will eventually become Anna’s apartment, wants a child; her husband doesn’t. —The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

But Wise Guy is a strong celebration of the series, and a fascinating psychoanalysis of the man who dreamed it up. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024

Bound is conceived hermetically (and might be the basis for a psychoanalysis of the Wachowski siblings, who both underwent gender transition — from Andy and Larry to Lilly and Lana). —Armond White, National Review, 31 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

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