psychiatrist

noun

psy·​chi·​a·​trist sə-ˈkī-ə-trist How to pronounce psychiatrist (audio)
sī-
plural psychiatrists
: a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders : a specialist in psychiatry

Examples of psychiatrist 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.
That order was amended in 2011 so that Moss only had to see a psychiatrist quarterly. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026 Hasan, a former Army major and psychiatrist, shot and killed twelve fellow-soldiers (one of whom was pregnant) and a civilian at Fort Hood, in 2009, ahead of a deployment to Afghanistan. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026 The former Army psychiatrist killed 13 people and wounded 32 at Fort Hood, Texas. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026 Nidal Hasan, a former army psychiatrist, killed 13 people at the Fort Hood US Army post in Texas in 2009. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for psychiatrist

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychiatrist was in 1867

Browse Nearby Words

psychiater
psychiatrist
psychiatry
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

psychiatrist

noun
psy·​chi·​a·​trist
sə-ˈkī-ə-trəst, 
sī-
: a specialist in psychiatry

Medical Definition

psychiatrist

noun
psy·​chi·​a·​trist sə-ˈkī-ə-trəst How to pronounce psychiatrist (audio) sī- How to pronounce psychiatrist (audio)
: a physician specializing in psychiatry
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