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pediatrician

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

noun

  1. a physician who specializes in pediatrics.


pediatrician British  
/ ˌpiːdɪəˈtrɪʃən /

noun

  1. the US spelling of paediatrician

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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."

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Vocabulary lists containing pediatrician

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.

Dr. Anna Morad, a pediatrician at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, said she had witnessed a gradual rise in families refusing vitamin K leading up to the hospitalizations.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

Jenni, a developmental pediatrician, explains that teenagers' natural sleep patterns prevent them from going to bed early enough to meet their sleep needs.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

Diane Arnaout is a general pediatrician in Fort Worth, Texas, who has been an online educator for over a decade.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

On one of the city’s tree-lined plazas, Lia Mashaka runs a business helping Americans move to the Mediterranean city, from navigating visas to finding a pediatrician.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Gay and Phil were busy on the day of the party; however, Gay’s sister, Robin Madden, a pediatrician in Maryland, was delighted to be my guest.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

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