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

Cheeto was already scheduled to see a veterinarian as a result of recent weight loss, but his health became more of a concern last week after a veterinary student noticed the cat was having problems urinating, Scruggs said. — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

With him were the veterinarian Beverly Chua, a postdoctoral student named Catherine Ivy, and a graduate student, Kevin Young. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Judging was conducted by photographer Tim Connelly, veterinarian technician Shannon Smith and Ramona Chamber of Commerce President Vinnie Ciampoli. — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2026

Wildlife veterinarians euthanized a coyote with a badly swollen face that was seen roaming through a Studio City neighborhood after determining it would not fully recover from its injuries. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for veterinarian

• antiquarian
• libertarian
• millenarian
• nonsectarian
• proletarian
• sanitarian
• trinitarian
• unitarian
• vegetarian
• agrarian
• aquarian
• barbarian

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