psychiatrist
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of psychiatrist
First recorded in 1885–90; psychiatr(y) + -ist
Compare meaning
How does psychiatrist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders. Sigmund Freud is the founder of the field of psychiatry, pioneering psychoanalytic treatment. The noun psychiatrist has Greek roots in psykhe, meaning mind, and iatreia, meaning healing, so the word psychiatrist is literally one who heals the mind. As opposed to a psychologist, who also offers psychotherapy, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor and, as such, can prescribe medication for things like depression and anxiety.
Vocabulary lists containing psychiatrist
100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Body Language: Psych ("Mind")
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"How Smart Are Animals?" Vocabulary from the science article
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Speaking to Welt TV, psychiatrist Borwin Bandelow said the whale may have become a symbol of Germans' wider and deeper dissatisfaction with a struggling economy and politics in general.
From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026
A neurologist, geriatrician or geriatric psychiatrist could assess him.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026
The Vermont-based psychiatrist owns a practice with his husband called Taconic Psychiatry and said his patient survey data shows that more than 60% improve their depression, trauma or anxiety symptoms by at least 20%.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
Board-certified psychiatrist Jasmine Sawhne explains that the condition is rooted in neurochemistry.
From Slate • Mar. 15, 2026
For fear of his psychiatrist who was also their censor, they could never be sensual, or even emotional.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
