paediatrician: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Technical, Professional
Quick answer
What does “paediatrician” mean?
A medical doctor who specializes in the physical, behavioural, and mental health care of children from birth through adolescence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical doctor who specializes in the physical, behavioural, and mental health care of children from birth through adolescence.
A paediatrician diagnoses and treats illnesses, monitors growth and development, administers vaccinations, and offers guidance to parents. The speciality includes general paediatrics and various sub-specialties (e.g., paediatric cardiology).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK uses 'paediatrician' (with 'ae'). US uses 'pediatrician' (with 'e' only). Pronunciation differs accordingly.
Connotations
Identical professional connotations. No difference in social prestige or professional scope.
Frequency
Equally common and standard in each respective dialect for the medical profession.
Grammar
How to Use “paediatrician” in a Sentence
Nthe N of N (the paediatrician of the local clinic)N specialising in N (a paediatrician specialising in neonatology)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “paediatrician” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To paediatricise (rare, theoretical).
American English
- To pediatricize (rare, theoretical).
adverb
British English
- Paediatricially (rare, constructed).
American English
- Pediatrically (rare, constructed).
adjective
British English
- Paediatric (paediatric care).
American English
- Pediatric (pediatric care).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts of healthcare business, staffing, or practice management.
Academic
Common in medical and public health literature, research papers, and university programmes.
Everyday
Used by parents discussing their child's healthcare.
Technical
Standard term in medical diagnoses, referrals, hospital departments, and clinical guidelines.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “paediatrician”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “paediatrician”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paediatrician”
- Misspelling: 'pediatrition', 'pediatricion'. Confusing with 'pediatrist' (archaic/incorrect for medical doctor). Using for a nurse (paediatric nurse).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A paediatrician is a specialist who has undergone additional training specifically in children's health. A GP is a general family doctor who may treat patients of all ages, including children, but without the same depth of specialised paediatric training.
Typically until age 18, though this can vary. Some paediatricians see patients up to 21, especially if they have complex conditions followed since childhood.
In professional and formal UK contexts (e.g., NHS, medical journals), 'paediatrician' is the standard and expected spelling. 'Pediatrician' is recognised but identified as the American spelling.
A general paediatrician does not perform surgery. However, a paediatric surgeon is a distinct specialist who has completed surgical training focused on children.
A medical doctor who specializes in the physical, behavioural, and mental health care of children from birth through adolescence.
Paediatrician is usually formal, technical, professional in register.
Paediatrician: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpiː.di.ə.ˈtrɪʃ.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpiː.di.ə.ˈtrɪʃ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Whip-smart as a paediatrician (rare, constructed)”
- “To have the patience of a paediatrician (constructed)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: P(AE)DIATRICIAN - P(AE)DIATRICS is the study of children's health, and an -IAN is a person who practises it. The 'ae' in British spelling looks like a child's face with big eyes (æ).
Conceptual Metaphor
DOCTOR AS GUIDE/GUARDIAN (guides a child's health journey), DOCTOR AS DETECTIVE (diagnoses childhood illnesses).
Practice
Quiz
In which variant of English is the spelling 'paediatrician' correct?