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

Schnuelle, a veterinarian, retired as a professor at Auburn in 2021, according to her bio page on the university's website. —Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Newsweek previously asked veterinarians what the best options for dog owners are, and one top choice is in-home pet sitting, where a professional cares for your pet in their familiar environment, helping maintain routines and reducing stress. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

This is something that any pet owner with a cat that is challenging to medicate needs to bring up with their veterinarian. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025

Commissioner Charlie Hatcher announced his retirement this week after leading the department for nearly seven years and serving as state veterinarian for another 10. —Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025

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