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 American Veterinary Medical Association strongly discourages declawing as an elective procedure, but defers to veterinarians on each case. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026

The center’s veterinarians have learned that woodpeckers, like the northern flicker, need two. — Harris Horowitz, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

The organization said their dental unit was able to help with the extraction, along with multiple other staff and visiting veterinarians. — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2026

The city increased the program to cover sterilizations, providing $120 per cat, $195 per dog and $125 per rabbit, after veterinarians complained the initial offering did not cover the procedure’s full cost. — City News Service, Daily News, 6 Nov. 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