outpatient

American  

[out-pey-shuhnt] / ˈaʊtˌpeɪ ʃənt /

Or out-patient

noun

1. a patient who receives treatment at a hospital, as in an emergency room or clinic, but is not hospitalized.

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outpatient British  

/ ˈaʊtˌpeɪʃənt /

noun

1. a nonresident hospital patient Compare inpatient

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Usage

What does outpatient mean? Outpatient is commonly used as an adjective to describe treatment that does not require a patient to stay overnight at a hospital or other care facility—they come and leave on the same day. Outpatient is used in contrast with the term inpatient, which describes treatment that requires a patient to be admitted for at least one night. The terms are especially used in phrases like outpatient procedure (after which the patient can leave, instead of staying for further observation or treatment), inpatient treatment (which requires the patient to stay overnight at the hospital), and inpatient room (where such patients stay). Outpatient and inpatient are typically used in the context of hospitals, though inpatient can also refer to a patient who is admitted overnight at a mental health facility or other kind of clinic. Both terms can also be used as nouns referring to such patients. Example: I have an outpatient procedure scheduled for tomorrow morning, so I should be back home by the afternoon.

Etymology

Origin of outpatient

First recorded in 1705–15; out- + patient

Example Sentences

The facility also would serve about 1,000 people on an outpatient basis.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

The latest figures show there were 5,291 ongoing waits longer than 104 weeks for a new outpatient, inpatient or day‑case appointment or procedure, as of February.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Most Advantage enrollees pay no premium besides their Part B outpatient requirement, compared to about $3,000 for traditional Medicare with supplemental “gap” policies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

If your brother’s monthly expenses equal or exceed the “share of cost,” Medicaid can cover authorized medical services, including outpatient care, prescriptions and home care for the rest of that month.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

“I have outpatient therapy from four to five, remember?”

From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben

Related Words

• case
• inmate
• subject
• sufferer
• victim