veterinarian
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of veterinarian
1640–50; < Latin veterīnāri ( us ) veterinary + -an
Explanation
A veterinarian is a doctor for animals. When it’s time for your dog to get his shots, you take him to the veterinarian. A veterinarian is someone who treats, cures, and prevents diseases in animals. If you want to become a veterinarian, start studying hard! Much like a people doctor, a veterinarian must have formal training before practicing — typically 4 years of veterinary medicine coursework after completing an undergraduate degree. The word veterinarian is often shortened to “vet.” You might look at your dog and say, “Time to go to the vet!”
Vocabulary lists containing veterinarian
Power Suffix: -arian
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Occupations
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Shiloh
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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.
Veterinarian appointments, on average, cost between $70 and $174; bloodwork, on average, costs $188, according to CareCredit, a credit card issued by Synchrony Financial that can be used to pay for healthcare and pet-related expenses.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
Veterinarian Raymond Leonard attested on the forms that Allgyer’s puppies were going to Silicon Valley Goldendoodes.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2024
Veterinarian Dominic Moule spoke to the BBC about the discovery.
From BBC • Feb. 10, 2024
Washington State Veterinarian Amber Itle recommended dog owners be vigilant, as experts suspect the illness is more widespread than just the states it’s been confirmed in.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2023
District Veterinarian ZIPPELIUS.—Very curious investigation of the development of the horseshoe.—22 illustrations.
From Scientific American Supplement No. 819, September 12, 1891 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
