orthopedic

adjective

or·​tho·​pe·​dic ˌȯr-thə-ˈpē-dik 

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

ˌȯr-thə-ˈpē-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of orthopedic in a Sentence

She was wearing orthopedic shoes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Patients of Drake can find inpatient rehab services for stroke, spinal cord injury, cardiac arrest or orthopedic trauma at other hospitals in the area, such as Christ Hospital and Encompass Health. —Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

The 10-year-old separated his shoulder falling down a flight of concrete steps and got a clean bill of health from the orthopedic doctor two weeks later. —Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Among Ong's classmates, one is now an Olympic gymnast and orthopedic surgeon, another is a VP at Meta, while others are a pediatrician, a partner at Snell & Wilmer, an Olympic pole-vaulter and emergency room physician, a civil engineer who moonlights as a comedian, and a film producer and director. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025

Johnson & Johnson’s MedTech division, which produces orthopedic and cardiac implants, expects to face a $400 million headwind due to duties on Chinese imports, the company has said. —Ethan Karp, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

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

Rhymes for orthopedic

• glycosidic
• orthopaedic
• comedic
• encyclopaedic
• encyclopedic

Kids Definition

orthopedic

adjective

or·​tho·​pe·​dic ˌȯr-thə-ˈpēd-ik 

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

ˌȯr-thə-ˈpēd-ik 

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

-ˈpēd-i-k(ə-)lē