veterinary

American  

[vet-er-uh-ner-ee, ve-truh-] / ˈvɛt ər əˌnɛr i, ˈvɛ trə- /

noun

plural

veterinaries

1. a veterinarian.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the medical and surgical treatment of animals, especially domesticated animals.

veterinary British  

/ ˈvɛtrɪnrɪ, ˈvɛtərɪnərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to veterinary medicine

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Other Word Forms

• nonveterinary adjective

Etymology

Origin of veterinary

1780–90; < Latin veterīnārius, equivalent to veterīn ( ae ) beasts of burden (noun use of feminine plural of veterīnus pertaining to such beasts, equivalent to veter-, stem of vetus old, i.e., grown, able to take a load + -īnus -ine ¹ ) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

He could sell to fund his wife Sarah Blanchett’s future veterinary practice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Starting in July, graduate students attending professional programs, including for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, will be able to borrow a maximum of $200,000 over the course of their degree.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

The CMA also said it was backing the government's proposed reforms to veterinary law, which would make businesses as well as individuals accountable to an independent regulator.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

But the agency previously said in a statement that the animals found at the property were being inspected on-site by veterinary staff and would be sent to nearby veterinary hospitals if they needed assistance.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

After making a number of telephone calls, I finally located Mr. Jones in a town in England, where today he is working as a veterinary consultant.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston