veterinary

1 of 2

adjective

vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈve-tə-rə-ˌner-ē  ˈve-trə- 

ˈve-tə-ˌner-

: of, relating to, practicing, or being the science and art of prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease and injury in animals and especially domestic animals

a veterinary clinic

veterinary

2 of 2

noun

plural veterinaries

: veterinarian

Examples of veterinary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The rising cost of veterinary care is pushing more Americans to buy pet insurance, as advances in animal medicine give owners access to treatments that were uncommon or unavailable a decade ago. — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026

Depending on the policy, symptoms, veterinary advice or treatment that occurred before the coverage effective date — or during the policy's waiting period — can be enough for an exclusion to apply. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Noun

If your pet becomes confused, vomits, has diarrhea, collapses or experiences seizures, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 21 July 2026

The comprehensive veterinary screening the zoo described will determine what options exist for the animal. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin veterinarius of beasts of burden, from veterinae beasts of burden, from feminine plural of veterinus of beasts of burden; akin to Latin veter-, vetus old

First Known Use

Adjective

1790, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1861, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing veterinary

• veterinary medicine
• veterinary surgeon

Rhymes for veterinary

• accretionary
• apothecary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• constabulary
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary

Kids Definition

veterinary

1 of 2 adjective

vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈvet-ə-rən-ˌer-ē  ˈve-trən- 

ˈvet-ᵊn-

: of, relating to, or being the medical care of animals

veterinary medicine

veterinary

2 of 2 noun

plural veterinaries

: veterinarian

Medical Definition

veterinary

1 of 2 adjective

vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈvet-ə-rən-ˌer-ē  ˈve-trən- 

ˈvet-ᵊn-

: of, relating to, or being veterinary medicine

veterinary

2 of 2 noun

plural veterinaries

: veterinarian