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

Animal care staff and veterinarians responded immediately and monitored the calf continuously. —Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Among many things in the bill are banning restrictions on diesel farm equipment, a loan program for veterinarians practicing on Florida food animals and prohibiting unsolicited door-to-door sales, which is one of the ways solar panel companies target homeowners. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026

Responding officers safely trapped the male bird until wildlife rehabilitation experts arrived and transported the eagle to an emergency veterinarian. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026

If you’re concerned, contact your veterinarian to discuss the best introduction method for your dog. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026

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