orthosis

American

[awr-thoh-sis] / ɔrˈθoʊ sɪs /

noun

plural

orthoses

Medicine/Medical. the correction of orthopedic maladjustments.
an orthotic.

orthosis British

/ ɔːˈθəʊsɪs /

noun

an artificial or mechanical aid, such as a brace, to support or assist movement of a weak or injured part of the body

"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

Etymology

Origin of orthosis

1955–60; < Greek órthōsis a making straight, guidance, equivalent to orthō- (variant stem of orthoûn to straighten, verbal derivative of orthós straight) + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Because of her MS, a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, she uses an orthotic to walk and competes with an ankle foot orthosis in her boot.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023