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

The horse veterinarian's personal items, including his keys and cellphone, were found inside a deserted truck at Lake Mead, the outlets reported. —Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025

Newsweek spoke to a veterinarian who explained this behavior. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

Which dog DNA tests are best? Dog DNA tests used to be exclusively performed by veterinarians, which was not only costly but also time-consuming. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025

At the time, the veterinarian said there have been less than 10 cases of hantavirus in the state in the last five years. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 15 Apr. 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