noun
Uncommon
psychiatry
seye-KEYE-uh-tree
Psychiatry (noun) means the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness. Example: “She decided to specialize in psychiatry after her residency.”
noun
1
The branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness.
"She decided to specialize in psychiatry after her residency."
How to use psychiatry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe medical field focused on mental health and mental illness.
Common pairings
study psychiatry
child and adolescent psychiatry
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Word forms
- Plural
- psychiatries
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She decided to specialize in _____ after her residency.
Etymology
Borrowed from French psychiatrie, first recorded in English around 1846.
Class of 1846
psychiatry joined the language around 1846.
See the full Class of 1846 →
Synonyms
View more →
mental health medicine
psychopathology
Related words
Rhymes for psychiatry
See all rhymes for psychiatry →Frequently asked questions
What does “psychiatry” mean?
The word “psychiatry” means the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness. In plain terms, the medical field focused on mental health and mental illness.
How do you pronounce “psychiatry”?
“Psychiatry” is pronounced seye-KEYE-uh-tree (/saɪˈkaɪ.əˌtɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “psychiatry” in a sentence?
Here is “psychiatry” used in a sentence: “She decided to specialize in psychiatry after her residency.”
What part of speech is “psychiatry”?
“Psychiatry” is a noun.
Where does the word “psychiatry” come from?
The word “psychiatry” dates back to around 1846 and comes from French. Borrowed from French psychiatrie, first recorded in English around 1846.
Is “psychiatry” a common word?
“Psychiatry” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "psychiatry" and "psychology"?
Psychiatry is a branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, and psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior more broadly, and psychologists typically use therapy and assessment rather than medical treatments.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist?
A psychiatrist practices psychiatry, meaning they are a medical doctor who can diagnose mental illness and prescribe medication. "Therapist" is a broader term that can include psychologists, counselors, and other professionals who provide talk therapy but may not be medically licensed to prescribe drugs.
What kinds of conditions does psychiatry typically treat?
Psychiatry deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, covering conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Treatment often combines medication with other therapeutic approaches.
