orthopedic

adjective

or·​tho·​pe·​dic ˌȯr-thə-ˈpē-dik How to pronounce orthopedic (audio)
variants or less commonly orthopaedic
1
: of, relating to, or employed in orthopedics
an orthopedic surgeon
orthopedic shoes
2
: marked by or affected with a skeletal deformity, disorder, or injury
an orthopedic condition
people with orthopedic problems
orthopedically adverb

Examples of orthopedic in a Sentence

She was wearing orthopedic shoes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those with the medical expertise to answer them won’t be made available any time soon, leaving baseball men to double as orthopedic specialists. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 June 2025 Some arrived in court in orthopedic shoes and one leaned on a cane. Thomas Adamson, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025 If your summer travels include a ton of walking, then packing a pair of orthopedic sandals should be your priority. Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025 The chief resident of orthopedic surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center walked jurors through X-rays showing the wounds to Megan’s feet. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for orthopedic

Word History

Etymology

French orthopédique, from orthopédie orthopedics, from orth- + Greek paid-, pais child — more at few

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of orthopedic was in 1829

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Orthopedic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orthopedic. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

orthopedic

adjective
or·​tho·​pe·​dic ˌȯr-thə-ˈpēd-ik How to pronounce orthopedic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or used in orthopedics
2
: marked by or affected with skeletal deformity, disorder, or injury

Medical Definition

orthopedic

adjective
or·​tho·​pe·​dic
variants or chiefly British orthopaedic
1
: of, relating to, or employed in orthopedics
orthopedic surgery
orthopedic casts
2
: marked by or affected with a deformity, disorder, or injury of the skeleton and associated structures
orthopedically adverb
or chiefly British orthopaedically

More from Merriam-Webster on orthopedic

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