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

Katie Parent works as a mobile veterinarian, driving around Greater Boston and making house calls. —Alicia Wallace, CNN, 21 June 2024

Eventually, the state dispatched a team of veterinarians to euthanize dying koalas—some 1,400, according to the official tally. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 17 June 2024

The problem has gotten bad enough in Kenton County that the Kenton County Fiscal Court commissioners decided to allocate $329,000 to hire a full-time veterinarian to spay and neuter cats. —Jolene Almendarez, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024

For weeks now, state veterinarians have worked alongside peers from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the federal regulatory agency, to examine horses and medical records. —Joe Drape, New York Times, 7 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

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