veterinarian

American  

[vet-er-uh-nair-ee-uhn, ve-truh-] / ˌvɛt ər əˈnɛər i ən, ˌvɛ trə- /

noun

1. a person who practices veterinary medicine or surgery.

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veterinarian British  

/ ˌvɛtərɪˈnɛərɪən, ˌvɛtrɪ- /

noun

1. Also called: veterinary surgeon.  a person suitably qualified and registered to practise veterinary medicine

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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!”

Example Sentences

But a northern Greece veterinarian argues that illegal vaccination has helped.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

After the experiments, a veterinarian checked the animals and they were returned to the wild the following night.

From Science Daily • Mar. 12, 2026

“When people say, ‘Oh, it’s a teacup pig,’ I’m like, ‘That is not a thing. That does not exist,’” said Lynsey Rosen, a veterinarian in Southern California who treats dozens of mini pigs each month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

The juvenile mountain lion was taken to a local veterinarian to be assessed, Cort Klopping, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said Wednesday afternoon.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

He had an international reputation as a knowledgeable and skilled veterinarian who specialized in primate husbandry.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston