pediatrician
Americannoun
-
pediatricians
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of pediatrician
First recorded in 1900–05; pediatric ( def. ) + -ian
Explanation
A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in the care of children. When a sick child goes to visit the pediatrician, often there are toys and other things to play with in the waiting room. The word pediatrician has only been in use since the turn of the 20th century. Some people also use the word pediatrist to mean the same thing — a doctor who specializes in treating children ranging from newborn babies to adolescents. Pediatricians study pediatrics, both of which stem from a form of the Greek pais "children." The remainder of the word comes from the Greek iatros "healer."
Vocabulary lists containing pediatrician
Occupations
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Bronx Masquerade
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Graham will face Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in November’s general election.
From Slate ● Aug. 29, 2026
Chan said then that her work as a pediatrician, and at a Boston housing-project after-school program, had taught her that systems to help children are often siloed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
In a letter included in court filings, the boys’ longstanding pediatrician said that in her opinion, they were well cared-for.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Morris: Every pediatrician I know cares so deeply about what they do.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Nancy and Ned went to the same pediatrician.
From "Sleepover Sleuths: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #1" by Carolyn Keene
The AAP guideline recommends that pediatricians provide intensive behavior treatment for children 6 and older with overweight or obesity, or refer the children to other healthcare professionals who can deliver it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
On the cognitive side, pediatricians focus on what researchers call “wakeful rest.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
More than a dozen pediatricians interviewed by ProPublica said they strongly recommend all three of the typical newborn interventions but agreed that the vitamin K shot is the most vital.
From Salon ● May 7, 2026
The American Academy of Pediatrics called the order "historic and welcome," saying in a statement the changes had "sowed chaos and confusion for parents and pediatricians across the country."
From Barron's ● Mar. 16, 2026
Allegra’s parents were both pediatricians and spent so much time fixing the health problems of other people’s kids that Allegra believed they’d forgotten they had a daughter of their own.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
