inpatient

American  

[in-pey-shuhnt] / ˈɪnˌpeɪ ʃənt /

noun

1. a patient who stays in a hospital while receiving medical care or treatment.

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inpatient British  

/ ˈɪnˌpeɪʃənt /

noun

1. a hospital patient who occupies a bed for at least one night in the course of treatment, examination, or observation Compare outpatient

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Usage

What does inpatient mean? Inpatient is commonly used as an adjective to describe treatment that requires a patient to be admitted to a hospital or other care facility for at least one night. Inpatient is used in contrast with the term outpatient, which describes treatment that does not require a patient to stay overnight. The terms are especially used in phrases like inpatient treatment (which requires the patient to stay overnight at the hospital), inpatient room (where such patients stay), and outpatient procedure (after which the patient can leave, instead of staying for further observation or treatment). Both terms can also be used as nouns referring to such patients. Inpatient is typically used in the context of hospitals, but it can also refer to a patient of a mental health facility or other kinds of clinics. Example: This type of surgery requires inpatient care—typically consisting of a one-week hospital stay.

Etymology

Origin of inpatient

First recorded in 1750–60; in- ¹ + patient

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inpatient

Bendall, who is a maternal foetal medicine specialist and obstetrician, said such a pregnancy was very high-risk, with the hospital admitting Na'amoana as an inpatient at 25 weeks so she could be monitored.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

The nonprofit Fred Brown Recovery Services was seeking to acquire the five-acre property and turn it into a 106-bed inpatient recovery center for “veterans, the justice-involved, the unhoused, and those with co-occurring conditions.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

If one spouse gets sick, the other spouse can care for them with the help of the close family, and hopefully forestall any inpatient nursing needs.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026

"We are prioritising those facilities, including the assessment of the structural safety, emergency department capacities, operating theatres, inpatient beds, blood supply, and oxygen," he said.

From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026

But seeing that the young man heeded him not, he muttered an inpatient "Teremtette!" between his teeth, and then, plucking at his master's dress, he continued— "Have you no orders to give me, Master Otmar?"

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 370, August 1846 by Various