dentist

noun

den·​tist ˈden-təst How to pronounce dentist (audio)
: one who is skilled in and licensed to practice the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth, jaws, and mouth and who makes and inserts false teeth

Examples of dentist in a Sentence

I saw her at the dentist last week. He goes to the dentist's for a check-up every six months.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jerry is a contradiction as well, a man who writes like a demon and looks like a dentist. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 June 2026 Ask your dentist for a complete estimate that includes follow-up visits and lab work. — William Jones, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026 The letter laid out what happened the day a gunman flung open the door of an El Cajon dentist’s office and opened fire. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2026 Burton, a pediatric dentist, also shared the same statement on his Instagram Stories. — Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dentist

Word History

Etymology

French dentiste, from dent

First Known Use

circa 1746, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dentist was circa 1746

Phrases Containing dentist

Rhymes for dentist

See All Rhymes for dentist

Browse Nearby Words

Dentirostres
dentist
dentistry
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dentist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dentist. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dentist

noun
den·​tist ˈdent-əst How to pronounce dentist (audio)
: a professional person who is trained in the care, treatment, and repair of the teeth and the fitting of artificial teeth

Medical Definition

dentist

noun
den·​tist ˈdent-əst How to pronounce dentist (audio)
: a licensed practitioner who is skilled in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth, jaws, and mouth and who makes and inserts false teeth

More from Merriam-Webster on dentist

Nglish: Translation of dentist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dentist

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