psychiatrist
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of psychiatrist
First recorded in 1885–90; psychiatr(y) + -ist
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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
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Body Language: Psych ("Mind")
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"How Smart Are Animals?" Vocabulary from the science article
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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.
Earlier this year, a coronial inquest referred the psychiatrist who treated Cauchi for many years before the attack to health investigators.
From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026
A neurologist, geriatrician or geriatric psychiatrist could assess him.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026
"Cumulative trauma, cumulative adverse experiences and ongoing instability and unpredictability certainly put these children at higher risk... of developing psychiatric disorders and negative mental health outcomes," Evelyne Baroud, a child and adolescent psychiatrist told AFP.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 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
Skulason was a psychiatrist and the head doctor of Sogn Mental Asylum for the Criminally Insane.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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.
