definitions

ambulatory

[ am-byuh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
/ ˈæm byə ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /
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adjective

of, relating to, or capable of walking: an ambulatory exploration of the countryside.
adapted for walking, as the limbs of many animals.
moving about or from place to place; not stationary: an ambulatory tribe.
Also ambulant. Medicine/Medical.
  1. not confined to bed; able or strong enough to walk: an ambulatory patient.
  2. serving patients who are able to walk: an ambulatory care center.
Law. not fixed; alterable or revocable: ambulatory will.

noun, plural am·bu·la·to·ries.

Also called deambulatory. Architecture.
  1. an aisle surrounding the end of the choir or chancel of a church.
  2. the covered walk of a cloister.

RELATED WORDS

vagabond, peripatetic, vagrant, roving, itinerant, nomadic, ambulant

Nearby words

ambulance chaser, ambulance stocks, ambulant, ambulante, ambulate, ambulatory, ambulatory care, ambulatory surgery, ambulette, ambuscade, ambuscado

Origin of ambulatory

1615–25; < Latin ambulātōrius, equivalent to ambulā-, stem of ambulāre (see amble) + -tōrius -tory1

Related forms

am·bu·la·to·ri·ly, adverbnon·am·bu·la·to·ry, adjective, noun, plural non·am·bu·la·to·ries.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ambulatory

British Dictionary definitions for ambulatory

ambulatory

/ (ˈæmbjʊlətərɪ) /

adjective

of, relating to, or designed for walking
changing position; not fixed
Also: ambulant able to walk
law (esp of a will) capable of being altered or revoked

noun plural -ries

architect
  1. an aisle running around the east end of a church, esp one that passes behind the sanctuary
  2. a place for walking, such as an aisle or a cloister
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for ambulatory

ambulatory

[ ăm′byə-lə-tôr′ē ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or adapted for walking.
Capable of walking; not bedridden.
Moving about.
Of or relating to medical care or services provided on an outpatient basis.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.