pediatrician

American  

[pee-dee-uh-trish-uhn, ped-ee-] / ˌpi di əˈtrɪʃ ən, ˌpɛd i- /

Also pediatrist

noun

• pediatricians
  plural

1. a physician who specializes in pediatrics.

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pediatrician British  

/ ˌpiːdɪəˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. the US spelling of paediatrician

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pediatricians
  plural

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pediatrician pediatricians

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

Southern Utah pediatrician: I’ve learned that if you come down hard, you’re going to lose people who need care.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

“There are tens if not hundreds of thousands of cases,” said Dr. Helen Hughes, a Johns Hopkins pediatrician and leading advocate for reforms that would remove barriers between patients and the care they need.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

Listen, Mr. Alper, I’ve been on and off the phone with your son’s pediatrician all morning.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick

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

The research team says health and mental health professionals, including pediatricians, family physicians, and social workers, should talk with young people about their use of pre-workout supplements.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 9, 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