geriatric

noun ge·ri·at·ric \ ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik , ˌjir- \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Definition of geriatric

1 geriatrics play \ˌjer-ē-ˈa-triks, ˌjir-\ plural in form but singular in construction : a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and the medical care and treatment of aging people

An old family member is often the inspiration for medical students who choose geriatrics.
—Katie Hafner

— compare gerontology

2 : an aged person

To put it mildly, the geriatrics of the entertainment industry didn't see this coming.
—John Perry Barlow

See geriatric defined for English-language learners

Examples of geriatric in a Sentence

most of the clinic's outpatients are geriatrics living on fixed incomes

Recent Examples of geriatric from the Web

Another pilot project, conducted by Dr. Sara Espinoza, associate professor of medicine (geriatrics), examined the effects of a diabetes drug called Metformin in senior adults.

— bruce selcraig, San Antonio Express-News, "UT Health research given $24 million vote of confidence," 31 May 2018
Fewer than 1 percent of RNs and fewer than 3 percent of advanced practice RNs are certified in geriatrics, according to the American Geriatric Society.

— alice adams, Houston Chronicle, "Home health care providers face strong demand for services," 9 Mar. 2018
While there is a clear distinction between MCI and dementia, according to Dr. Bruce Troen, chief of geriatrics and palliative medicine at the University at Buffalo Medical School there is a 3-fold increase in risk for dementia among those with MCI.

— joseph frankel, Newsweek, "Exercise to Improve Memory and Slow Dementia, New Recommendations Say," 28 Dec. 2017
Great, so people who sit on the job turn into bedridden geriatrics, while those who stand in the office might as well be eating nothing but double cheeseburgers, or going through a pack a day, or maybe both.

— jay willis, GQ, "Bad News: Now Standing at Work Is Killing You, Too," 17 Sep. 2017
Afterward, two ladies channeling Mr. and Mrs. Schumacher (the film’s infamous wallet-lifting geriatrics) led the way, with a feigned, aged saunter, towards the barn.

— katie calautti, vanityfair.com, "At the Dirty Dancing Lodge, Fans Can Have the Time of Their Lives," 18 Aug. 2017
The Red Hound of Renown, as he was called in some circles, was a consummate fetch dog, a powerful swimmer and, in his later years, a brazen geriatric with a bottomless bucket list.

— greg trotter, chicagotribune.com, "A grief considered: Remembering the 'Red Hound of Renown'," 30 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'geriatric.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Since most medical care is devoted to those over 65, geriatrics, the medical treatment of the elderly, is a highly important specialty. The specific problems of the elderly include physical inactivity and instability, which result from weakness and loss of energy. Weakness of the eyes and ears plays a role, and weakening of the immune system often leads to more disease. All these conditions can be made worse by mental problems, such as declining intellectual activity, declining memory, and depression, which may prevent the patient from taking action to improve his or her condition. But the effects of aging can be greatly relieved by proper care. And the greatest improvement often results when the patient is persuaded to become more physically, mentally, and socially active.

Origin and Etymology of geriatric

see ²geriatric

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1909

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

geriatric

adjective

Definition of geriatric

1 a : of or relating to geriatrics or the process of aging

b : of, relating to, or appropriate for elderly people

the geriatric set

2 a : old, elderly

a geriatric dachshund

b : old and outmoded

geriatric airplanes

See geriatric defined for English-language learners

See geriatric defined for kids

Examples of geriatric in a Sentence

children who think that anyone over the age of 40 is geriatric
went into nursing to work with geriatric patients

Recent Examples of geriatric from the Web

Image Barbara Herrington, a geriatric care manager in Polk County, Fla., was calling on a 72-year-old woman with dementia and a long history of alcoholism.

— New York Times, "In Elderly Hands, Firearms Can Be Even Deadlier," 26 May 2018
Laws restricting reporting are still in force; all plays must still be censored by geriatric party officials.

— The Economist, "Satire is booming after Robert Mugabe’s fall," 24 May 2018
And being able to take care of your geriatric mom after your dad dies.

— gregory krieg and sonia moghe, CNN, "Is Joe Biden running for president? Because he sure sounded like it today," 24 May 2018
Before long, the geriatric rodents were outracing 2-month-old mice.

— robert weisman — boston globe, STAT, "From the ‘fountain of rodent youth’ to zombie cells, scientists work to slow the aging process," 21 May 2018
Before long, the geriatric rodents were outracing 2-year-old mice.

— robert weisman, BostonGlobe.com, "Scientists in Mass. and beyond are working to slow the aging process," 19 May 2018
By age 80, folks are more likely to spend time in the hospital — often due to elective procedures such as hip or knee replacements, said Gill, basing this on his own observation as a geriatric specialist.

— NBC News, "Is there such a thing as normal aging?," 12 Apr. 2018
Others see a geriatric city Senate delegation long overdue for an infusion of youthful vigor.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Challengers to Baltimore senators could bring energy — but also a loss of clout for city in Annapolis," 11 May 2018
Chinthala is a geriatric speech pathologist who also has helped the state expand business partnerships with his native India.

— john king, CNN, "Trump sits out Indiana Senate primary, and his supporters are split," 8 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of geriatric

Greek gēras old age + English -iatric

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1926

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

geriatric Synonyms

Phrases

long in the tooth, of a certain age;

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

GERIATRIC Defined for English Language Learners

geriatric

noun

Definition of geriatric for English Language Learners

: an old person

geriatric

adjective

Definition of geriatric for English Language Learners

medical : of or relating to the process of growing old and the medical care of old people : of or relating to geriatrics

Medical Dictionary

geriatric

noun ge·ri·at·ric \ ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik , ˌjir- \

medical Definition of geriatric

1 geriatrics plural but singular in construction : a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and aging people — compare gerontology

2 : an aged person