geriatric

1 of 2

noun

ge·​ri·​at·​ric ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik  ˌjir- 

1

geriatrics 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

geriatric

2 of 2

adjective

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

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.

Synonyms

Noun

• elder
• adult
• oldster

Adjective

• elderly
• older
• aging
• ageing
• old

Examples of geriatric in a Sentence

Noun

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

Adjective

children who think that anyone over the age of 40 is geriatric

went into nursing to work with geriatric patients

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Various private clinics in the fields of surgery, dentistry, cardiology, and geriatrics are available, as well as senior-friendly services. —Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

The number of nurse practitioners specializing in geriatrics has more than tripled since 2010, increasing the availability of care to the current population of seniors, a recent study in JAMA Network Open found. —Jariel Arvin, Miami Herald, 21 June 2025

Adjective

Assemble a planning team that includes an elder law attorney, a financial advisor experienced with disability planning, and potentially a geriatric care manager. —Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

The reforms to medical and geriatric parole, which will go into effect on Oct. 1, are essential and shamefully overdue. —Natasha Dartigue, Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

geriatrics from Greek gḗras "old age" + -iatrics; gḗras going back to a lengthened grade ablaut derivative of an Indo-European verbal base *ǵerh₂- "become old, ripen," whence also, with varying ablaut and suffixation, Greek géras "gift of honor," geraiós "old," Old Church Slavic sŭzĭrějǫ, sŭzĭrěti "to ripen, mature," Armenian cer "old man, old," Sanskrit járati "(s/he) makes old, ages, decays," jaraṇáḥ "old, decayed," jarā́ "old age," Avestan zarəta- "old," azarəšant- "unaging," Persian zar "old man," zāl "(of persons) old"

Note: The word geriatrics was introduced by the Austrian-born U.S. physician Ignatz Leo Nascher (1863-1944) in the article "Geriatrics," New York Journal of Medicine, vol. 90, no. 8 (August 21, 1909), p. 358: "Geriatrics, from geras, old age, and iatrikos, relating to the physician, is a term I would suggest as an addition to our vocabulary, to cover the same field in old age that is covered by the term pædiatrics in childhood." — The peculiar lengthened grade in Greek gḗras has been explained as deriving from the aorist egḗrā "(s/he) became old." The diverse forms and meanings in Indo-Iranian perhaps reflect a merger of two roots, *ǵerh₂- "become old" and *ǵerH- "wear down, grind." See also geronto-, churl, corn entry 1.

Adjective

back-formation from geriatrics

First Known Use

Noun

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for geriatric

• allopatric
• bariatric
• paediatric
• pediatric
• podiatric
• psychiatric
• neuropsychiatric

Kids Definition

geriatric

adjective

ge·​ri·​at·​ric

ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik,

ˌjir-

: of or relating to geriatrics, the aged, or the process of aging

Medical Definition

geriatric

1 of 2 noun

ge·​ri·​at·​ric ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik  ˌjir- 

1

geriatrics plural in form 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

geriatric

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to geriatrics or its practice

the geriatric department in a hospital

a geriatric ward

2

: of, relating to, affecting, or being aged individuals

the geriatric population

geriatric depression

treated geriatric animals