geriatric

noun

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ge·ri·at·ric | \ ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik

, ˌjir- \

Definition of geriatric

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

adjective

Definition of geriatric (Entry 2 of 2)

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

b : of, relating to, or appropriate for elderly people the geriatric set

2a : old, elderly a geriatric dachshund

b : old and outmoded geriatric airplanes

Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about geriatric

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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.

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 Other geriatric care managers are social workers or have other degrees related to geriatrics. — Alix Boyle, courant.com, "Geriatric care managers: They can save older adults and their families time and money," 17 Oct. 2019 There, 1,500 dedicated staff members provide compassionate and innovative medical, dental, and behavioral health services to 105,000 patients of all backgrounds, in a continuum of care from pediatrics to geriatrics. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "A 50th Anniversary Fiesta," 29 Aug. 2019 UC San Diego facilities in La Jolla and Hillcrest ranked 14th in the nation for pulmonology, 29th for geriatrics, 40th for neurology and neurosurgery and 44th for cardiology and cardiac surgery. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Scripps La Jolla hospitals retain top spot in 2019 U.S. News rankings," 30 July 2019 High performing specialties include geriatrics, nephrology, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonary and lung services. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, sun-sentinel.com, "Cleveland Clinic Florida back on top of list of South Florida’s best hospitals," 30 July 2019 Hopkins was ranked nationally in 15 specialties, including being ranked No. 1 in geriatrics, neurology & neurgosurgery, and rheumatology, and No. 2 in nephrology and urology. — Lillian Reed, baltimoresun.com, "Johns Hopkins Hospital named No. 3 nationally by U.S. News & World Report," 30 July 2019 The latest iteration provides filters that turn users either into smooth-faced baby versions of themselves or wrinkly geriatrics with a smattering of sun spots and gray hair. — Ineye Komonibo, Marie Claire, "Thanks to FaceApp, These Celebrities Aged Overnight," 17 July 2019 But there are some advantages to thinking of aging as a disease, according to Louise Aronson, a doctor specializing in geriatrics and author of the new book Elderhood. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Humans don’t actually want to be immortal, we just want to be forever young," 27 June 2019 Equally valuable—and a bit quicker—is an article (and checklist) about preventive services in Better Health While Aging, a website published by Leslie Kernisan, a specialist in geriatrics. — Glenn Ruffenach, WSJ, "A Medical-Screening Checklist for Older Adults," 3 Jan. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective In 2018, the VA's Office of Inspector General found multiple flaws in five of eight areas scrutinized: deficient safety processes, inspections, geriatric medical evaluations and mental health diagnostics. — Isabella Hulsizer, azcentral, "Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and ASU team up on survey to improve VA health care," 21 Nov. 2019 Compared to farm dogs in the past, today’s pampered pups live longer and get more geriatric diseases, said veterinarian Dr. Kate Creevy of Texas A&M University, the project’s chief scientific officer. — NBC News, "Old dogs, new tricks: 10,000 pets needed for science," 14 Nov. 2019 The camera then settles on De Niro as a geriatric Frank Sheeran, before Frank’s narration quickly shifts us to a flashback, a move reminiscent of the way Goodfellas’ own narrator, Henry Hill, introduces his story. — Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, "Goodbye to the Goodfellas," 31 Oct. 2019 Jordan Yates, Powhatan’s activities coordinator, said the facility has a geriatric psychiatrist who talks to residents and adjusts their medication dosages. — Lauren Lumpkin, The Denver Post, "With virtual reality, woman helps nursing-home residents see the world without leaving home," 27 Oct. 2019 Consider getting a geriatric social worker involved: eldercare.acl.gov. — Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, "Controlling sister doesn’t like brother’s care for their Mom," 22 Oct. 2019 Consider getting a geriatric social worker involved: eldercare.acl.gov. — Carolyn Hax, oregonlive, "Carolyn Hax: Siblings squabble over elderly mother’s care/living situation," 22 Oct. 2019 Jordan Yates, Powhatan's activities coordinator, said the facility has a geriatric psychiatrist who talks to residents and adjusts their medication dosages. — Lauren Lumpkin, chicagotribune.com, "Start-up company helps nursing home residents see the world," 21 Oct. 2019 Great Bingo Revival Especially popular in the geriatric circuit, bingo is not a game commonly correlated with disco music and women dancing in sequin jumpsuits. — Morena Duwe, Billboard, "We Lost the Dirtybird Campout Spelling Bee and Other Festival Field Activity Reports," 8 Oct. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

11 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Geriatric.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geriatrics. Accessed 14 December 2019.

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More Definitions for geriatric

geriatric

noun

English Language Learners Definition of geriatric

(Entry 1 of 2)

: an old person

geriatric

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of geriatric (Entry 2 of 2)

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

See the full definition for geriatric in the English Language Learners Dictionary

geriatric

noun

ge·ri·at·ric | \ ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik

, ˌjir-

Medical Definition of geriatric

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

adjective

Medical Definition of geriatric (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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