Outpatient

Outpatient

Noun / Adjective · /ˈaʊtˌpeɪʃənt/ · a patient who receives treatment without being admitted overnight

Definition

A patient who attends a hospital or clinic for diagnosis or treatment but does not stay overnight; also used as an adjective to describe services, departments, or procedures delivered on this basis.

Origin

From out- + patient. Formed in the 18th century as hospitals began distinguishing patients who stayed in the building (inpatients) from those who attended and returned home. The out- prefix signals leaving the building after treatment.