veterinary

1 of 2

adjective

vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈve-tə-rə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce veterinary (audio) ˈve-trə- How to pronounce veterinary (audio)
ˈve-tə-ˌner-
: of, relating to, practicing, or being the science and art of prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease and injury in animals and especially domestic animals

veterinary

2 of 2

noun

plural veterinaries
: veterinarian

Examples of veterinary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
His dog was taken to a veterinary hospital in the area, but also died, deputies said. — Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 20 Mar. 2025 Requiring her to pay for the veterinary expenses helps reinforce boundaries while imparting an important lesson about respecting other people's property. — Lydia Patrick, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
The rest of the veterinary is designed to soothe cats: phones don’t ring, machines don’t beep and all animals’ eyes in decorative paintings face away from the real-life veterinary patients. — Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 20 Jan. 2025 The plight of a severely sick German shepherd whose owner left her to be euthanized in a veterinary ER all alone has sparked anger. — David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for veterinary

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin veterinarius of beasts of burden, from veterinae beasts of burden, from feminine plural of veterinus of beasts of burden; akin to Latin veter-, vetus old

First Known Use

Adjective

1790, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of veterinary was in 1790

Phrases Containing veterinary

Rhymes for veterinary

See All Rhymes for veterinary

Browse Nearby Words

veterinary
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Cite this Entry

“Veterinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veterinary. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

veterinary

1 of 2 adjective
vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈvet-ə-rən-ˌer-ē How to pronounce veterinary (audio) ˈve-trən- How to pronounce veterinary (audio)
ˈvet-ᵊn-
: of, relating to, or being the medical care of animals
veterinary medicine

veterinary

2 of 2 noun
plural veterinaries
: veterinarian

Medical Definition

veterinary

1 of 2 adjective
vet·​er·​i·​nary ˈvet-ə-rən-ˌer-ē How to pronounce veterinary (audio) ˈve-trən- How to pronounce veterinary (audio)
ˈvet-ᵊn-
: of, relating to, or being veterinary medicine

veterinary

2 of 2 noun
plural veterinaries
: veterinarian

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Nglish: Translation of veterinary for Spanish Speakers

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