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

Emilie Morris, a hospital pediatrician in Salt Lake County and Utah County: When children come in, they’re often bent over.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Tim Duffy, a pediatrician in Salt Lake County: A lot of families aren’t aggressively anti-vax, but they’re hesitant.

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

“But my pediatrician said I probably won’t get any taller than five foot two.”

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi

Since the theory was introduced, some physicians, including pediatricians, have treated the pattern as a meaningful warning sign that might be prevented or modified through diet and lifestyle changes.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

Moderate exercise has been shown to improve learning among students from elementary school through young adulthood, and the effects on attention, memory and executive function are well-documented, pediatricians say.

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