Meaning & use
pediatrics
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountable
The branch of medicine that deals with the health and medical care of children.
Grammar: Takes a singular verb: Pediatrics is a challenging field. Do not use a plural verb.
Patterns
- study pediatrics
- practice pediatrics
- a pediatrics department
After medical school, she decided to specialize in pediatrics.
The hospital's pediatrics unit has a new playroom for young patients.
He teaches pediatrics at the university and sees patients two days a week.
Common combinations
- a pediatrics department
- The pediatrics department is on the third floor.
- practice pediatrics
- She has practiced pediatrics for over twenty years.
- specialize in pediatrics
- He specialized in pediatrics after his residency.
- pediatrics ward
- The pediatrics ward is brightly decorated.
Synonyms and how they differ
- child health
- A broader, less technical term; pediatrics is the specific medical specialty.
Word family
- pediatric adjective
- Relating to the medical care of children, as in pediatrician or pediatric care.
- pediatrician noun
- A doctor who specializes in pediatrics.
Commonly confused: pediatrics or pediatric?
pediatrics vs pediatric
Pediatric is the adjective; pediatrics is the noun. Say 'a pediatrician' but 'study pediatrics'.
Practice
Choose the correct verb: Pediatrics ___ a demanding specialty.
Choose one answer.
Pediatrics is uncountable and takes a singular verb, so 'is' is correct. 'Are' is wrong because the word looks plural but is treated as singular.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “pediatrics”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.