veterinary

1 of 2

adjective

vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈve-tə-rə-ˌner-ē  ˈve-trə- 

ˈve-tə-ˌner-

: of, relating to, practicing, or being the science and art of prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease and injury in animals and especially domestic animals

veterinary

2 of 2

noun

plural veterinaries

: veterinarian

Examples of veterinary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Carlo Siracusa, a veterinary behaviorist at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, told me that his cat, Elsa, often stares at the full moon from the top floor of his house, where the window provides a lovely view. —Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024

In the park, the medical outreach team handed out glass pipes and test kits that can detect fentanyl or veterinary tranquilizer in drugs before they’re consumed, possibly saving lives. —Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024

Noun

The plight of a severely sick German shepherd whose owner left her to be euthanized in a veterinary ER all alone has sparked anger. —David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024

Our goal was to remain unbiased while also hosting a a respective opinion between the CBD, veterinary, and medical communities. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin veterinarius of beasts of burden, from veterinae beasts of burden, from feminine plural of veterinus of beasts of burden; akin to Latin veter-, vetus old

First Known Use

Adjective

1790, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1861, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing veterinary

• veterinary medicine
• veterinary surgeon

Kids Definition

veterinary

1 of 2 adjective

vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈvet-ə-rən-ˌer-ē  ˈve-trən- 

ˈvet-ᵊn-

: of, relating to, or being the medical care of animals

veterinary medicine

veterinary

2 of 2 noun

plural veterinaries

: veterinarian

Medical Definition

veterinary

1 of 2 adjective

vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈvet-ə-rən-ˌer-ē  ˈve-trən- 

ˈvet-ᵊn-

: of, relating to, or being veterinary medicine

veterinary

2 of 2 noun

plural veterinaries

: veterinarian