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

There is also potential for use in veterinary care, since gum disease in dogs and cats has similar underlying causes.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

“The entangled line severely damaged a front flipper, cutting off blood supply,” Dr. Lance Adams, the aquarium’s director of veterinary services, said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

As a third-year veterinary student at the University of Surrey, Alana has seen the dangers free-roaming cats face, such as being run over, fights and disease.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

They met in veterinary school at Kansas State University and had gotten engaged a few weeks later, and they were married when Nancy was twenty.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston