1 geriatric | Definition of geriatric

geriatric

noun
geĀ·​riĀ·​atĀ·​ric | \ ĖŒjer-ē-Ėˆa-trik How to pronounce geriatric (audio) , ĖŒjir-\

Definition of geriatric

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 geriatrics\ ĖŒjer-​ē-​Ėˆa-​triks How to pronounce geriatrics (audio) , ĖŒjir-​\ plural in form but singular in construction : a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and the medical care and treatment of aging people An old family member is often the inspiration for medical students who choose geriatrics.— Katie Hafner ā€” compare gerontology
2 : an aged person To put it mildly, the geriatrics of the entertainment industry didn't see this coming.— John Perry Barlow

geriatric

adjective

Definition of geriatric (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : of or relating to geriatrics or the process of aging
b : of, relating to, or appropriate for elderly people the geriatric set
2a : old, elderly a geriatric dachshund
b : old and outmoded geriatric airplanes

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Synonyms & Antonyms for geriatric

Synonyms: Noun

ancient, elder, golden-ager, old-timer, oldster, senior, senior citizen

Synonyms: Adjective

aged, aging (or ageing), ancient, elderly, long-lived, old, older, over-the-hill, senescent, senior, unyoung

Antonyms: Noun

youngster, youth

Antonyms: Adjective

young, youthful

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Did You Know?

Since most medical care is devoted to those over 65, geriatrics, the medical treatment of the elderly, is a highly important specialty. The specific problems of the elderly include physical inactivity and instability, which result from weakness and loss of energy. Weakness of the eyes and ears plays a role, and weakening of the immune system often leads to more disease. All these conditions can be made worse by mental problems, such as declining intellectual activity, declining memory, and depression, which may prevent the patient from taking action to improve his or her condition. But the effects of aging can be greatly relieved by proper care. And the greatest improvement often results when the patient is persuaded to become more physically, mentally, and socially active.

Examples of geriatric in a Sentence

Noun

most of the clinic's outpatients are geriatrics living on fixed incomes

Adjective

children who think that anyone over the age of 40 is geriatric went into nursing to work with geriatric patients
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

UC San Diego facilities in La Jolla and Hillcrest ranked 14th in the nation for pulmonology, 29th for geriatrics, 40th for neurology and neurosurgery and 44th for cardiology and cardiac surgery. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Scripps La Jolla hospitals retain top spot in 2019 U.S. News rankings," 30 July 2019 High performing specialties include geriatrics, nephrology, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonary and lung services. Cindy Krischer Goodman, sun-sentinel.com, "Cleveland Clinic Florida back on top of list of South Floridaā€™s best hospitals," 30 July 2019 Hopkins was ranked nationally in 15 specialties, including being ranked No. 1 in geriatrics, neurology & neurgosurgery, and rheumatology, and No. 2 in nephrology and urology. Lillian Reed, baltimoresun.com, "Johns Hopkins Hospital named No. 3 nationally by U.S. News & World Report," 30 July 2019 The latest iteration provides filters that turn users either into smooth-faced baby versions of themselves or wrinkly geriatrics with a smattering of sun spots and gray hair. Ineye Komonibo, Marie Claire, "Thanks to FaceApp, These Celebrities Aged Overnight," 17 July 2019 But there are some advantages to thinking of aging as a disease, according to Louise Aronson, a doctor specializing in geriatrics and author of the new book Elderhood. Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Humans donā€™t actually want to be immortal, we just want to be forever young," 27 June 2019 Equally valuableā€”and a bit quickerā€”is an article (and checklist) about preventive services in Better Health While Aging, a website published by Leslie Kernisan, a specialist in geriatrics. Glenn Ruffenach, WSJ, "A Medical-Screening Checklist for Older Adults," 3 Jan. 2019 Kozar, who is applying to medical schools, said the program helped steer her toward a career in geriatrics. Pat Eaton-robb, Fox News, "Program combats ageism by having students live with seniors," 17 Aug. 2018 Another pilot project, conducted by Dr. Sara Espinoza, associate professor of medicine (geriatrics), examined the effects of a diabetes drug called Metformin in senior adults. Bruce Selcraig, San Antonio Express-News, "UT Health research given $24 million vote of confidence," 31 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Thankfully, a new occupation appeared in response to the wave of aging Americans ā€” the care manager ā€” also known as a professional or geriatric care manager. Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, "Sponsored: Keep your parentā€™s home in good shape and start preparing a move-out plan now," 15 Aug. 2019 Their backfield is long on age (LeSean McCoy, T.J. Yeldon and the geriatric Frank Gore). Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, "The Loop Fantasy Football Preview: The Rookies," 2 Aug. 2019 The steady decay of English syntax is a first-world problem par excellence, and tsk-tsking over sloppy grammar amounts to a haughty and rather geriatric form of entertainment. Lionel Shriver, Harper's magazine, "Semantic Drift," 22 July 2019 Clinicians have little training on how to handle conversations about rational suicide, said Dr. Meera Balasubramaniam, a geriatric psychiatrist at the New York University School of Medicine who has written about the topic. Kaiser Health News, oregonlive.com, "Is rational suicide among elderly a sign of self-determination or depression?," 6 July 2019 Clinicians have little training on how to handle conversations about rational suicide, said Meera Balasubramaniam, a geriatric psychiatrist at New York University School of Medicine who has written about the topic. Melissa Bailey, The Denver Post, "Some seniors weigh the idea of ā€œrational suicideā€," 23 June 2019 Neither party acknowledged the leasing deal for the geriatric facility until this week, in response to questions about it from The Sun. Kevin Rector, baltimoresun.com, "Former UMMS board member had multiple undisclosed hospital deals; employees felt 'pressured' to push software," 13 June 2019 Ranked 93rd for overtime was a geriatric nurse at the Arizona Department of Veteransā€™ Services. Alison Steinbach, azcentral, "Police, firefighters earn most overtime among public employees, at times doubling salaries," 21 June 2019 Jane worked as a geriatric nursing supervisor at the Wintonbury Manor in Bloomfield. courant.com, "Jane M. Zurinskas," 13 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'geriatric.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of geriatric

Noun

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for geriatric

Adjective and Noun

Greek gēras old age + English -iatric

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More Definitions for geriatric

geriatric

noun

English Language Learners Definition of geriatric

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: an old person

geriatric

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of geriatric (Entry 2 of 2)