psychiatry

American  

[si-kahy-uh-tree, sahy-] / sɪˈkaɪ ə tri, saɪ- /

noun

1. the practice or science of diagnosing and treating mental disorders.

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psychiatry British  

/ saɪˈkaɪətrɪ /

noun

1. the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness

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psychiatry Scientific  

/ sĭ-kī′ə-trē /

1. The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.

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psychiatry Cultural  

1. The medical science that studies and treats mental illness and mental maladjustment. Psychiatrists treat mental disorders; psychologists study mental activities, whether healthy or disordered. In the United States, psychiatrists usually hold the degree of doctor of medicine (M.D.) and may prescribe medication for their patients.

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Other Word Forms

• nonpsychiatric
  adjective
• psychiatric
  adjective
• psychiatrical
  adjective
• psychiatrically
  adverb
• psychiatrist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of psychiatry

First recorded in 1840–50; psych- + -iatry

Explanation

If you study psychiatry, you're studying a branch of medicine helps people with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. With the correct diagnosis and treatment, psychiatry can help people with mental disorders live healthy and productive lives. First used in the 19th century, the noun psychiatry originates from the Middle Latin word psychiatria, meaning "a healing of the soul," which traces back to the Greek word psykhe, meaning "mind," and iatreia, meaning "healing, care." Someone who practices psychiatry focuses on healing the soul — or the mind — of those suffering from mental illness. Various treatments include medication and therapy.

Example Sentences

“She was a good mom and loved her girls,” said Coplen, who filed a lawsuit against Sage Psychiatry and Blough alleging wrongful death.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

The American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have all condemned conversion practices as dangerous and unsupported by evidence.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026

But the smartphone isn’t the villain in this story, it’s a tool, said Natalia Khodayari, a postdoctoral researcher in the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026

That is the conclusion of a new study published in European Psychiatry on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association by Cambridge University Press.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

She knew she had the ability to earn a First in Psychiatry, and would settle for nothing less.

From The Cartels Jungle by Cox, Irving E.