bariatrics
|ba-ri-at-rics|
🇺🇸
/ˌbæriˈætrɪks/
🇬🇧
/ˌbærɪˈætrɪks/
medicine for obesity
Etymology
'bariatrics' originates from New Latin and Greek, specifically from the Greek elements 'bar-' from 'baros' meaning 'weight' and 'iatr-' from 'iatros' meaning 'physician'.
'bariatrics' was formed in New Latin/modern medical usage (influenced by words like 'pediatrics' and 'geriatrics') and entered English in the 20th century as the term for the medical specialty dealing with obesity.
Initially it referred to treatment related to weight, and over time it has come to denote the medical specialty focused on obesity and its treatment.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the branch of medicine concerned with the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity and related disorders.
She specializes in bariatrics and performs weight-loss surgeries.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/16 08:19