inpatient

UK: ˈɪnpeɪʃnt | US: ˈɪnpeɪʃnt

Definition
  1. n. a patient who stays in a hospital while receiving treatment

  2. adj. relating to the treatment of patients who stay in a hospital

Structure
in <inside>patient <one who suffers>
Etymology

The word "inpatient" combines the prefix "in-" (from Old English "in," meaning "inside") with "patient" (from Latin "patiens," meaning "one who endures or suffers"). Historically, it distinguished hospitalized individuals ("in-patients") from those treated externally ("outpatients"). The term reflects the healthcare practice of categorizing care settings based on residency during treatment.

Examples
  1. The hospital has 50 beds for inpatient care.

  2. She was admitted as an inpatient after surgery.

  3. Inpatient services include 24-hour nursing support.

  4. The study compared recovery rates between inpatient and outpatient groups.

  5. Mental health inpatient facilities provide intensive therapy.