1
: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
2
: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
3
: not hasty or impetuous
4
: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity
5
a
: able or willing to bear
—used with of
b
: susceptible, admitting
patient of one interpretation
1
a
: an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment
cancer patients
psychiatric patients
b
: the recipient of any of various personal services
2
: one that is acted upon
are agents as well as patients and observers in the world—
C. H. Whiteley
C. H. WhiteleySynonyms
Examples of patient in a Sentence
Adjective
To pry apart violent Islamic radicals, the United States has to become knowledgeable about internal cleavages and be patient in exploiting them.
—Samantha Power, New York Times Book Review, 29 July 2007
I pack them into the compartment for a visit, pack till it's full far beyond capacity and weep with them, share with them my scanty bit of good fortune, tell them I care, tell them be patient, tell them I'm on their side …
—John Edgar Wideman, Harper's, December 2003
There's no sense being patient with people who make you wait, because they'll only make you wait longer the next time.
—Andrew A. Rooney, And More by Andy Rooney, (1979) 1982
I hate having to stand in long lines. I'm just not very patient.
The teacher treated her students in a patient and understanding way.
“Aren't you finished yet?” “Be patient. I'll be done soon.”
Proofreading requires patient attention to detail.
They put in years of patient labor on the project.
Noun
Several patients were waiting to see the doctor.
the nurse asked the patient to change into a paper gown
Samantha Power, New York Times Book Review, 29 July 2007
I pack them into the compartment for a visit, pack till it's full far beyond capacity and weep with them, share with them my scanty bit of good fortune, tell them I care, tell them be patient, tell them I'm on their side …
—John Edgar Wideman, Harper's, December 2003
There's no sense being patient with people who make you wait, because they'll only make you wait longer the next time.
—Andrew A. Rooney, And More by Andy Rooney, (1979) 1982
I hate having to stand in long lines. I'm just not very patient.
The teacher treated her students in a patient and understanding way.
“Aren't you finished yet?” “Be patient. I'll be done soon.”
Proofreading requires patient attention to detail.
They put in years of patient labor on the project.
Noun
Several patients were waiting to see the doctor.
the nurse asked the patient to change into a paper gown
Recent Examples on the Web
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Integrated tracking provides insights to fuel further optimization toward business KPIs like first consult and patient conversion rates.
—Bahram Moshrefnoory, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Jason Green, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Nebulizer patients might be candidates for home oxygen.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patient 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
This increase is attributed to changes in occupancy, patient mix, and Medicaid rates.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Integrated tracking provides insights to fuel further optimization toward business KPIs like first consult and patient conversion rates.
—Bahram Moshrefnoory, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
The second measure would require certain health care providers to spend 98% of revenues from the discount prescription drug program on direct patient care.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Nebulizer patients might be candidates for home oxygen.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patient
Dictionary Entries Near patient
Cite this Entry
“Patient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patient. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patient
1 of 2 adjective
pa·tient
ˈpā-shənt 
1
: putting up with pains or hardships calmly or without complaint
2
: showing calm self-control
3
: not hasty or reckless
4
: steadfast sense 2, persevering
years of patient labor
patiently
adverb
patient
2 of 2 noun
: an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment
Medical Definition
patient
noun
pa·tient
ˈpā-shənt
1
: a sick individual especially when awaiting or under the care and treatment of a physician or surgeon
the hospital is equipped to handle 500 patients
2
: a client for medical service (as of a physician or dentist)
a good practice with a large number of patients
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