psychosis

noun

psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs How to pronounce psychosis (audio)
plural psychoses sī-ˈkō-ˌsēz How to pronounce psychosis (audio)
: a serious mental illness (such as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions

Examples of psychosis in a Sentence

The patient suffers from some kind of psychosis.
Recent Examples on the Web By forcing Senua on an introspective journey the first time around, the original game (which was brief at only seven hours) leaned into the debilitating fatigue and confusion of psychosis. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2024 Meth, a highly addictive stimulant that nurtures psychoses, was so utterly transforming him that Ms. Stevens collected their daughter and left. Photographs Todd Heisler, New York Times, 19 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for psychosis 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'psychosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychosis was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near psychosis

Cite this Entry

“Psychosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychosis. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

psychosis

noun
psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs How to pronounce psychosis (audio)
plural psychoses -ˈkō-ˌsēz How to pronounce psychosis (audio)
: a serious mental illness marked by loss of or greatly lessened ability to test whether what one is thinking and feeling about the real world is really true

Medical Definition

psychosis

noun
psy·​cho·​sis sī-ˈkō-səs How to pronounce psychosis (audio)
plural psychoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce psychosis (audio)
: a serious mental illness (as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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