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
Adjective
The aid would expand testing, underwrite costs for farms that provide personal protective gear for workers and compensate farms for veterinary bills and lost milk production. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024 Fortune Why vets are getting more expensive Pet health care is getting more expensive, with the price of veterinary care rising 32% over the past four years. —Clay Chandler, Fortune, 10 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for veterinary 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'veterinary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near veterinary

veterinarian

veterinary

veterinary medicine

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Veterinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veterinary. Accessed 17 May. 2024.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on veterinary

Nglish: Translation of veterinary for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of veterinary for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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