veterinarian

noun

vet·​er·​i·​nar·​i·​an ˌve-tə-rə-ˈner-ē-ən  ˌve-trə- 

ˌve-tə-ˈner-

plural veterinarians

: a person qualified and authorized to practice veterinary medicine

Other diagnostic procedures that may be used include imaging techniques such as ultrasound and bronchoscopy, which enables a veterinarian to examine the interior of an animal's airway …

—Tom Ewing

If your cat shows signs of anaphylaxis, take it to a veterinarian immediately.

—Amy D. Shojai

Examples of veterinarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consult your veterinarian about which products to use. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Oct. 2025

Owners should consult with their veterinarian or healthcare team to develop an appropriate diet plan. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

Arkansas ranks 49th in the United States for available veterinary professionals, and 10% of Arkansas counties have no veterinarians located in them, according to Lyon College. —Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2025

Another new law, SB312, implements a requirement that dogs imported into the state for the purpose of selling or transferring ownership have a health certification completed by a veterinarian dated no more than ten days prior to arrival in California. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for veterinarian

• authoritarian
• communitarian
• disciplinarian
• egalitarian
• equalitarian
• humanitarian
• majoritarian
• octogenarian
• parliamentarian
• radiolarian
• totalitarian
• utilitarian

Kids Definition

veterinarian

noun

vet·​er·​i·​nar·​i·​an ˌvet-ə-rən-ˈer-ē-ən  ˌve-trən- 

ˌvet-ᵊn-

: a person who is qualified and has been given the authority to treat diseases and injuries of animals

Medical Definition

veterinarian

noun

vet·​er·​i·​nar·​i·​an ˌvet-ə-rən-ˈer-ē-ən  ˌve-trən- 

ˌvet-ᵊn-

: a person qualified and authorized to practice veterinary medicine