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 successful use of fish skin grafts may open doors for wildlife rescue centers and veterinarians nationwide. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

Read More | Wild elephant keeps returning ‘just to say hello’ to the vets who saved his life In Kenya, a wild bull elephant has been returning to visit the veterinarians who saved his life after being shot with an arrow. —Miami Herald, 27 June 2025

Its smoke often leads to poor air quality that can negatively impact humans and animals alike, so many veterinarians and health officials are urging the public to protect pets. —Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

All of the animals were examined by a veterinarian. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 June 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