paediatrics: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “paediatrics” mean?
The branch of medicine dealing with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The branch of medicine dealing with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.
A medical specialty concerned with child health, development, and diseases; the practice of treating young patients.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The British spelling 'paediatrics' uses the digraph 'ae'. The American spelling is 'pediatrics' (without the 'a'). The pronunciation difference follows this spelling.
Connotations
Identical in meaning and professional connotation. The spelling is a key indicator of regional variety.
Frequency
In international medical journals and discourse, the American spelling 'pediatrics' is increasingly common. The British spelling remains standard in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Grammar
How to Use “paediatrics” in a Sentence
specialise in + paediatricsa career in + paediatricsthe field of + paediatricsa consultant in + paediatricsVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Central to medical school curricula and research on childhood diseases.
Everyday
Used when discussing a doctor's specialty or a child's hospital care.
Technical
The precise term for the medical specialty in clinical and research settings.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “paediatrics”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “paediatrics”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paediatrics”
- Misspelling as 'pediatrics' in a British context or 'paediatrics' in a strict American context.
- Incorrect pluralisation (it is uncountable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The difference is purely orthographic. 'Paediatrics' is the British English spelling, while 'pediatrics' is the American English spelling. The meaning and pronunciation are otherwise identical.
No, 'paediatrics' is an uncountable noun. You refer to 'the field of paediatrics' or 'a career in paediatrics', not 'a paediatrics'.
A 'paediatrician' (UK spelling) or 'pediatrician' (US spelling).
The standard pronunciation is very similar: /ˌpiː.diˈæt.rɪks/. The primary difference is that the British pronunciation may slightly emphasise the initial 'pee' sound corresponding to the 'ae' digraph, but in practice, they are often homophonous.
The branch of medicine dealing with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.
Paediatrics is usually formal, technical, medical in register.
Paediatrics: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpiː.diˈæt.rɪks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpiː.diˈæt.rɪks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A natural with children, she was drawn to paediatrics.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember the 'ae' in paediatrics as standing for 'ages of early' life, common in UK spelling.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A TERRITORY/BRANCH (e.g., 'She entered the field of paediatrics').
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is standard in American English?