psychiatry

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​try sə-ˈkī-ə-trē How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
sī-
: a branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders
psychiatric
ˌsī-kē-ˈa-trik How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
adjective
psychiatrically
ˌsī-kē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
adverb

Examples of psychiatry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plans include growing its psychiatry residency, expanding adolescent psychiatry fellowships, and launching an addiction medicine fellowship to prepare future specialists. — Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 But their emergence also underscores how much psychiatry still needs to learn about the biological underpinnings of depression and why patients respond differently to treatment. — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026 The tech nonprofit runs a free online marketplace for finding therapy, psychiatry, support groups and other services. — ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026 Hilary had accidentally stumbled into a cutting edge—and somewhat controversial—corner of psychiatry. — Jamie Ducharme, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for psychiatry

Word History

Etymology

probably from French psychiatrie, from psychiatre psychiatrist, from psych- psych- + Greek iatros physician — more at -iatry

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychiatry was in 1828

Rhymes for psychiatry

See All Rhymes for psychiatry

Browse Nearby Words

psychiatrist
psychiatry
psychic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Psychiatry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychiatry. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

psychiatry

noun
psy·​chi·​a·​try sə-ˈkī-ə-trē How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
sī-
: a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the mind, emotions, or behavior
psychiatric
ˌsī-kē-ˈa-trik How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

psychiatry

noun
psy·​chi·​a·​try -trē How to pronounce psychiatry (audio)
plural psychiatries
: a branch of medicine that deals with the science and practice of treating mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders especially as originating in endogenous causes or resulting from faulty interpersonal relationships

More from Merriam-Webster on psychiatry

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about psychiatry

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