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

Karpinski-Costa, a veterinarian and attorney, was first elected to the council in 2004 and returned to office in 2022. — Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

But that calculation can change quickly after an unexpected trip to the veterinarian — especially when the visit ends with a diagnosis and a sizable bill. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

The company, which sells diagnostic equipment and other products to veterinarians, also raised its forecasts for revenue and profit for all of 2026. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Those jobs belong to grooms, hot walkers, farriers, veterinarians, feed dealers, hay farmers and trainers who are at the barn before sunrise 365 days a year. — Tk Kuegler, Baltimore Sun, 29 Oct. 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