ambulatory

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

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.

Origin of ambulatory

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

OTHER WORDS FROM ambulatory

am·bu·la·to·ri·ly, adverb non·am·bu·la·to·ry, adjective, noun, plural non·am·bu·la·to·ries.

Example sentences 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

Medical definitions for ambulatory

ambulatory
[ ămbyə-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.