ambulatory

comparative more ambulatory · superlative most ambulatory

1. Of, relating to, or adapted to walking.

   ambulatory exercise

   1 more example

   The princess of whom his majesty […]had an ambulatory view in his travels.

   1642, Henry Wotton, A Short View of the Life and Death of George Villiers

2. comparablemedicineAble to walk about and not bedridden.

   an ambulatory patient

   Synonyms: astir, up and about

3. medicinePerformed on or involving an outpatient.

   ambulatory medical care

   3 more examples

   an ambulatory electrocardiogram

   Those who left the sanatoria received ambulatory care that included regular doctor's care, visits to specialists and dietary supplements.

   2007 June 1, Leslie Feinberg, “Cuba brought science, not scapegoating, to AIDS care”, in Workers World

   Just a week after vetoing a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio issued an executive order on Friday banning gender-transition surgeries for anyone under 18 at state hospitals or ambulatory clinics.

   2024 January 5, Amy Harmon, “Ohio Governor Orders Restrictions on Transgender Care After Vetoing Ban”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 08 Apr 2024

4. medicineRelating to ambulances.

   ambulatory fleet

5. Accustomed to move from place to place; not stationary; movable.

   an ambulatory court, which exercises its jurisdiction in different places

   1 more example

   As ſoon as God began to conſtitute a Church and fix the Prieſthood, which before was very ambulatory, and diſpenſed into all families, but ever officiated by the Major domo, God gives the power and deſigns the perſon.

   1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, “Section VI”, in Clerus Domini: or, A Discourse of the Divine Institution, Necessity, Sacrednesse, and Separation of the Office Ministerial. […], London: […] R[ichard] Royston […], published 1655, →OCLC, paragraph 1, page 35

   Synonyms: astir, mobile, animate, kinetic, mobile, motile, motive, movable

6. lawNot yet legally fixed or settled; alterable.

   The dispositions of a will are ambulatory until the death of the testator.

plural ambulatories

1. The semicircular walkway behind the altar and apse in many cathedrals.
2. Any part of a building intended for walking in; a corridor.