inpatient

American  

[in-pay-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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inpatient

Medicaid benefits vary by state, but federal law requires coverage of inpatient and outpatient hospital services, doctor visits, lab tests, X-rays, home health services and other benefits.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026

Since the crash Woods has travelled outside the United States to seek treatment at an inpatient facility, reportedly in Switzerland.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

"There's a substantial reduction in cost because you're not spending all the money on inpatient beds, which are the most expensive part of the system," he said.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

In a statement published on Hilton’s website, his family said the 48-year-old is “continuing in an inpatient setting under the care of a dedicated team of medical and mental health professionals.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

Even Mortimer's unpracticed mind realized speedily that it would be nothing short of a miracle if he were to find anyone in all those inpatient thousands who even knew the person he was seeking.

From Thoroughbreds by William Alexander Fraser

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