ambulatory

[ am-byuh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or capable of walking:

   an ambulatory exploration of the countryside.

2. adapted for walking, as the limbs of many animals.
3. moving about or from place to place; not stationary:

   an ambulatory tribe.

4. Also 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.

5. Law. not fixed; alterable or revocable:

   ambulatory will.

noun

, plural am·bu·la·to·ries.

1. 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.

ambulatory

/ ˈæmbjʊlətərɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designed for walking
2. changing position; not fixed
3. Alsoambulant able to walk
4. law (esp of a will) capable of being altered or revoked

noun

1. 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

Other Words From

• ambu·la·tori·ly adverb
• non·ambu·la·tory adjective noun plural nonambulatories

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambulatory¹

1615–25; < Latin ambulātōrius, equivalent to ambulā-, stem of ambulāre ( amble ) + -tōrius -tory ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Nor are advanced birth centers comparable in any way to ambulatory care surgery facilities, which perform scheduled elective procedures, not emergency procedures, said Kara Newbury, chief advocacy officer for the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.

From New York Times

“Most of these ambulatory cases are presenting with usual cough-and-cold symptoms, so it’s important for everyone to test themselves if they develop these types of symptoms.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re prioritizing the highest need, least ambulatory people — people who have doctors appointments they have to get to on a regular basis or who live high up and have children,” Boyd said.

From Seattle Times

The result would have been major new costs to renovate Wellspring to meet ambulatory surgical facility standards while getting “medically unnecessary” admitting privileges for its doctors, clinic founder Julie Burkhart said in an emailed statement.

From Seattle Times

The sub-study was designed to assess the effects of tirzepatide on blood pressure levels as measured by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in people with obesity but without Type 2 diabetes.

From Science Daily