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

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Etymology

Origin of pediatrician

First recorded in 1900–05; pediatric ( def. ) + -ian

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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

Acton, a pediatrician and former health director under Ohio’s current Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, has spoken openly during her campaign about facing abuse and neglect as a child, while in her mother’s custody.

From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026

Communication is crucial after such an event, local pediatrician Logan Clausen told CNN.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

"The death of any parent has enormous consequences for a child, and as a pediatrician, I care most about how a parent's death impacts the child, especially in the early years."

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

Graham will face Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in November’s general election.

From Slate ● Aug. 29, 2026

Nancy and Ned went to the same pediatrician.

From "Sleepover Sleuths: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #1" by Carolyn Keene

Even less of that information has reached the adults best positioned to support them in a crisis, such as parents, pediatricians and community therapists.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 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

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

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