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

All kittens should be checked by a veterinarian, and receive vaccinations, flea and worms treatment, and spaying/neutering soon after birth. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

Macy plans to attend UC Davis and become a large animal veterinarian, and continue with future rodeo royalty titles. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025

After catching the manatee in a net, the team loaded him onto their boat, and then into a truck, where a veterinarian assessed the animal for any immediate needs. —Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Between the lines: The drug, another unscheduled animal sedative typically used by veterinarians during surgery, is 10 to 20 times more potent than xylazine. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 3 Apr. 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