English · Word Candidate

veterinary

/ˈvɛtɪnɹi/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: veterinaries

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Of or relating to the medical or surgical treatment of non-human animals, especially domestic and farm animals.

Adjective

Examples

Max used all his veterinary knowledge to save the goose stuck in the fence.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A veterinary surgeon; a veterinarian.

Noun

Examples

Mr. Ward may rightly be considered the wizard of the north, for he was the pioneer of "practical pussyology" apart from the regular qualified veterinary who may look with a kind and pitying eye on cats' ailments and infirmities […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “veterinary” mean?

Of or relating to the medical or surgical treatment of non-human animals, especially domestic and farm animals.

Is “veterinary” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.