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

In June, French veterinarians closed the import inspection post at Calais for three days because of the heat, leaving a Peden Bloodstock truck carrying horses traveling from the UK to mainland Europe stranded at the border. — Danielle Rossingh, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Keep a list of important phone numbers with your emergency supplies, including your veterinarian, local animal shelters and emergency veterinary services. — Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026

She was taken to a nonprofit wildlife rescue, the Ojai Raptor Center, where a team of veterinarians went to extraordinary lengths to try to help her. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Rather than replacing veterinarians, technology is increasingly used to prepare for, extend and complement care. — Mita Malhotra, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 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