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

But as a hospital-based pediatrician, I see what happens when things go poorly.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Ellie Brownstein, pediatrician in Salt Lake County and president-elect of the Utah chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics: I avoid talking about politics, but what’s being said has added another layer to our work.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Mary Holland, the chief executive of Children’s Health Defense, said Shaw had tried to warn her pediatrician about a family history of adverse reactions to the flu vaccine.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Joana spoke often of medicine and her hopes of being a pediatrician.

From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys

On the cognitive side, pediatricians focus on what researchers call “wakeful rest.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

Johnson’s son recently turned 6 months old and received an early dose of the MMR vaccine, which pediatricians recommend for infants in outbreak areas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said the ruling was a “welcome outcome for children, communities and pediatricians everywhere.”

From Salon ● Mar. 18, 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 next afternoon Serena called me and said that a top group of radiologists, pediatricians, and cancer doctors had just spent an hour studying John’s X-rays, bone scans, and CT scans.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French