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.
The two of us also led the creation of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law’s practice resource document on forensic reproductive psychiatry. — Renee Sorrentino, STAT, 28 Aug. 2026 Today host Emily Kwong talks to Shebani about the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry and how ketogenic metabolic therapy may treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. — Berly McCoy, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026 While genetic biomarkers are not ready for use in the clinic, integrating genetic and psychosocial risk factors can help psychiatry transition into the era of precision medicine. — Anand Kumar, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026 North Carolina, where Diaz Stransky practices, has a specialized phone line doctors can call to consult a reproductive psychiatry expert and ask for resources. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 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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