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

For example, it’s found a way it thinks Medicare could save $156.9 billion by changing how it reimburses doctors for certain outpatient services.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

To curtail the spending, CMS in January implemented a flat national reimbursement rate for covered products in both physician offices and hospital outpatient departments, a move it projects to save several billion dollars annually.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

However, PHS estimates that around one in 10 of Scotland's population was on at least one new outpatient, inpatient or day‑case waiting list as of 28 February.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 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

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