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
a veterinary clinic

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
Even breeding the runt of the litter can be a dangerous game, according to Rebecca Greenstein, a veterinary medical advisor for Rover. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Now, Shedd said its animal care and veterinary teams are continuing to monitor all of the belugas in its care nonstop. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
If your pet becomes confused, vomits, has diarrhea, collapses or experiences seizures, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 21 July 2026 The comprehensive veterinary screening the zoo described will determine what options exist for the animal. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026 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

veterinarian
veterinary
veterinary medicine
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Veterinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veterinary. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All