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

California’s state veterinarian, Rebecca Jones, told The Times on Tuesday that a small backyard flock in Santa Rosa was also infected by the D1 strain. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

By comparison, licensed veterinarians undergo eight or more years of education while vet technicians need a two-year associate's degree. —Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024

Dogs subject to gland removal are often left with a painfully dry eye, one veterinarian testified in court. —Bymeredith Wadman, science.org, 28 Oct. 2024

From there, veterinarians can determine that your dog's tail-chasing is compulsive. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 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