veterinary

1 of 2

adjective

vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈve-tə-rə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce veterinary (audio) ˈve-trə- How to pronounce veterinary (audio)
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

Examples of veterinary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 See all Example Sentences for veterinary 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of veterinary was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near veterinary

Cite this Entry

“Veterinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veterinary. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

veterinary

1 of 2 adjective
vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈvet-ə-rən-ˌer-ē How to pronounce veterinary (audio) ˈve-trən- How to pronounce veterinary (audio)
ˈvet-ᵊn-
: of, relating to, or being the medical care of animals
veterinary medicine

veterinary

2 of 2 noun
plural veterinaries

Medical Definition

veterinary

1 of 2 adjective
vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈvet-ə-rən-ˌer-ē How to pronounce veterinary (audio) ˈve-trən- How to pronounce veterinary (audio)
ˈvet-ᵊn-
: of, relating to, or being veterinary medicine

veterinary

2 of 2 noun
plural veterinaries

More from Merriam-Webster on veterinary

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