rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryambulatoryWalking ability
adjective

ambulatory

AM-byuh-luh-tor-ee/ˈæmbjələtɔːri/

Able to walk or relating to walking.

The ambulatory patient walks out of the clinic with a cane.

An older adult walks independently out of a clinic doorway with a cane, demonstrating ability to walk; respectful active role and no disability stereotype.
Etymology
ambulLatinto walk, go about
+atoryLatinpertaining to an agent or activity

The walking root underlies the Latin sense “pertaining to a walker.” Applied to a person, ambulatory describes someone able to walk; more generally, it describes something related to walking.

In context

Talking With Docs20:54
It's what we call ambulatory surgery. Patient can walk in, walk out by themsel and we make tiny little mini incisions
Varicose Veins Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

More examples

  • The clinic treated ambulatory patients who could arrive on foot.
  • An ambulatory assessment examined her walking ability.
  • He remained ambulatory despite needing a cane.

Forms

ambulatory

Similar words

mobile
Mobile means able to move; ambulatory specifically concerns walking.
pedestrian
Pedestrian concerns walking or a person on foot; ambulatory often describes functional ability to walk.