psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses sī-ˈkō-ˌsēz 

: a serious mental illness (such as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions

Examples of psychosis in a Sentence

The patient suffers from some kind of psychosis.

Recent Examples on the Web

The authors pointed out, a little optimistically perhaps, that people in the grip of intense psychosis were highly visible, and urged city officials to get them off the subway. —Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025

Adhering strictly to the point of view of Byrne’s beleaguered Linda, who may be entering some sort of psychosis as she is pushed to her limits by the demands of caring for her daughter, the film’s aggressive, at-times abrasive style is sure to create strong reactions from audiences. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025

Because psychosis can cause paranoia and suspicion, people with psychosis may not trust treatment. —Brittany Dube, Health, 16 Jan. 2025

Shellenberger, who serves as CBR Chair of Politics, Censorship, and Free Speech at Austin, also says that meth drives psychosis and psychopathy. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses -ˈkō-ˌsēz 

: a serious mental illness marked by loss of or greatly lessened ability to test whether what one is thinking and feeling about the real world is really true

Medical Definition

psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs 

plural psychoses -ˌsēz 

: a serious mental illness (as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions