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

Inpatient hospice facilities have the atmosphere of a bed-and-breakfast, or a birthing center, but for the dying.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2025

Leaking pipes have caused £4m worth of damage to the Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre at Belfast City Hospital.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2024

Inpatient treatment offers the opportunity to return to the table of community, but only if supported with safe housing and support immediately upon being discharged.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 31, 2024

The researchers used the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample, a database maintained by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to compare trends and outcomes for scooter-related and bicycle-related injuries.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024

Audrey and I walked through what passed for a garden at the Quiet Oaks Inpatient Treatment Facility.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson