ambulatory: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Medical, Architectural
Quick answer
What does “ambulatory” mean?
related to or adapted for walking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
related to or adapted for walking; capable of walking.
1. Of a patient: able to walk, especially after surgery or illness. 2. Of a facility or service: providing treatment or services for patients who are not bedridden. 3. (In architecture) a place for walking, such as a covered passage, often around the apse of a church.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The core meaning and medical usage are identical. The architectural term is common in both but may appear more in historical/architectural contexts.
Connotations
Connotes formality and technical precision in both varieties.
Frequency
More frequent in US medical/healthcare discourse than in general UK English, but the term is recognized and used professionally in both.
Grammar
How to Use “ambulatory” in a Sentence
The patient is ambulatory.The hospital provides ambulatory care.The cathedral's ambulatory surrounds the choir.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ambulatory” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – The verb is 'ambulate', rarely used.
American English
- N/A – The verb is 'ambulate', rarely used.
adverb
British English
- N/A – The adverb 'ambulatorily' is obsolete and not used.
American English
- N/A – The adverb 'ambulatorily' is obsolete and not used.
adjective
British English
- The goal is to have the patient ambulatory within 24 hours.
- The medieval church features a stunning ambulatory.
American English
- She was discharged once she became fully ambulatory.
- The new clinic focuses on ambulatory services.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in business related to healthcare facilities (e.g., 'ambulatory surgery centre revenue').
Academic
Common in medical, nursing, and public health literature.
Everyday
Very rare. Typically only used by patients or family discussing post-operative recovery.
Technical
Essential in clinical, healthcare administration, and architectural terminology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ambulatory”
- Using 'ambulatory' to mean 'emergency' or 'urgent' (confusion with 'ambulance').
- Mispronunciation: /æmˈbjuː.lə.tri/ is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, specialised term common mainly in medical and architectural fields.
Yes, a patient who can walk, especially after illness or surgery, is described as 'ambulatory'.
They are closely related. 'Ambulatory' describes the patient's state (able to walk/move) or the type of care. 'Outpatient' specifically refers to a patient who receives treatment without being admitted to a hospital overnight. Most outpatient care is ambulatory care.
It comes from the Latin 'ambulatorius', from 'ambulare' meaning 'to walk'. It is related to 'amble', 'ambulance', and 'perambulator' (pram).
related to or adapted for walking.
Ambulatory is usually formal, medical, architectural in register.
Ambulatory: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæm.bjə.lə.tər.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæm.bjə.lə.tɔːr.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(no common idioms)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of AMBULATORY like an AMBULANCE – both come from the Latin 'ambulare' (to walk). An ambulance takes mobile patients; ambulatory describes being mobile.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH IS MOBILITY / RECOVERY IS REGAINING THE ABILITY TO WALK.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'ambulatory' LEAST likely to be used?