vet

1
[ vet ]
See synonyms for vet on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),vet·ted, vet·ting.
  1. to appraise, verify, or check for accuracy, authenticity, suitability, etc.: An expert vetted the manuscript before publication.

  2. to examine or treat in one's capacity as a veterinarian.

verb (used without object),vet·ted, vet·ting.
  1. to work as a veterinarian.

Origin of vet

1
First recorded in 1860–65; short for veterinarian

Other definitions for vet (2 of 3)

vet2
[ vet ]

noun, adjectiveInformal.

Origin of vet

2
An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; shortened form

Other definitions for vet. (3 of 3)

vet.

abbreviation
  1. veteran.

  2. veterinarian.

  1. veterinary.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use vet in a sentence

  • She was such a picture that I asked who she was, and found she was a high school mistress, the niece of old Cooper, the vet.

    The Romance of His Life | Mary Cholmondeley
  • She's an Irish girl—was governess to some rich Jew in Edgbaston, and she married a vet.

    Happy House | Betsey Riddle, Freifrau von Hutten zum Stolzenberg
  • Freckles tried to think connectedly, but there were too many places on the trail where the Angel's footprints were vet visible.

    Freckles | Gene Stratton-Porter
  • I wrote at once to the vet, telling him to telegraph "Curable" or "Hopeless," and to act accordingly.

    Animal Ghosts | Elliott O'Donnell
  • We had the vet out from Westchurch two or three times, but there was nothing much he could do.

British Dictionary definitions for vet (1 of 3)

vet1

/ (vɛt) /


noun
verbvets, vetting or vetted
  1. (tr) mainly British to make a prior examination and critical appraisal of (a person, document, scheme, etc): the candidates were well vetted See also positive vetting

  2. to examine, treat, or cure (an animal)

British Dictionary definitions for vet (2 of 3)

vet2

/ (vɛt) /


noun
  1. US and Canadian short for veteran (def. 2), veteran (def. 3)

British Dictionary definitions for vet. (3 of 3)

vet.

abbreviation for
  1. veteran

  2. veterinarian

  1. veterinary

  • Also (for senses 2, 3): veter

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012