veterinary

Everyday

1. To do with the medical care and treatment of animals: a veterinary clinic. tree →
2. Used in the names of jobs and places for animal care: a veterinary nurse, veterinary surgeon, veterinary school. tree →
3. A veterinary is an animal doctor, also called a vet. tree →

In the lessons

It appears in everyday life when a pet is ill or hurt and you go to the veterinary surgery (often just called "the vet's"). In science and careers lessons it names the study of animal health. Phrases: veterinary surgeon (UK), veterinary clinic, veterinary nurse, veterinary medicine, veterinary care.

Examples

• We took the puppy to the veterinary clinic for its injections. tree →
• My aunt is a veterinary nurse. tree →
• In the UK a vet is officially called a veterinary surgeon. tree →
• She wants to study veterinary medicine when she grows up. tree →
• The farm animals get regular veterinary care. tree →
• The veterinary bill for the cat came to 85 pounds. tree →
• Veterinary students learn about horses, dogs, cows and birds. tree →
• The next morning the veterinary--that is, the animal doctor--declared that he would be lame for the rest of his life. tree →

Note

It is an adjective, not a person: the person is a vet or veterinarian (US) or veterinary surgeon (UK). Spelling and saying trap: vet-er-in-ar-y has five syllables in careful speech, though many people say "vet-rin-ry". "Vet" is the everyday short word.