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

Eheyciga Orthopedic Dog Bed with Sides This orthopedic dog bed uses high-density foam to support senior dogs and pups with joint pain. —Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 11 May 2026

The escalation comes as the outlook for stem-cell therapies in Florida grows, driven by a new law that widens the path for doctors to use them to manage pain or treat orthopedic injuries and wounds. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026

Usually, fascia comes up during conversations about tissue surrounding muscles and joints, says Shrey Kanjiya, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at DISC Tarzana in Tarzana, California. —Scott Haak, EverydayHealth.com, 6 May 2026

Whether your pet loves to bask in the sun, cuddle up in a plush cocoon, or needs a little extra cushion in the form of an orthopedic mattress, there are all kinds of options from popular brands like Kong, Top Paw, and Arcadia Trail marked down at PetSmart right now. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026

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