osteopathic medicine

noun

: a system of medical practice that emphasizes a holistic and comprehensive approach to patient care and utilizes the manipulation of musculoskeletal tissues along with other therapeutic measures (such as the use of drugs or surgery) to prevent and treat disease

called also osteopathy

compare allopathic medicine

Examples of osteopathic medicine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The lawsuit challenges a final rule that sets the definition of professional degrees exempt from tighter loan caps around 11 fields: pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, theology and clinical psychology. Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 20 May 2026 The Education Department's definition of professional degrees include pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry and theology. ABC News, 19 May 2026 The proposal would burden doctors with giving parents a highly detailed consent statement to be prepared by boards of medicine and osteopathic medicine, and forbid health authorities to order vaccinations during outbreaks of familiar or new deadly diseases. Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026 Larkin University plans to open a new college of osteopathic medicine in the Naranja area of South Miami-Dade to address Florida’s worsening physician shortage. Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026 The proposal would burden doctors with giving parents a highly detailed consent statement to be prepared by boards of medicine and osteopathic medicine, and forbid health authorities to order vaccinations during outbreaks of familiar or new deadly diseases. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026 The Sacramento Bee follows the style of the Associated Press, which guides writers to only use the honorific for individuals with medical-specific professional degrees, including doctors of medicine, dental surgery, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry or veterinary medicine. Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026 The Education Department is defining the following fields as professional programs: pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry and theology. Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2026 The Education Department’s list of professional degrees includes pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry and theology. Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of osteopathic medicine was in 1900

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Cite this Entry

“Osteopathic medicine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osteopathic%20medicine. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

Medical Definition

osteopathic medicine

noun
: a system of medical practice that emphasizes a holistic and comprehensive approach to patient care and utilizes the manipulation of musculoskeletal tissues along with other therapeutic measures (such as the use of drugs or surgery) to prevent and treat disease

called also osteopathy

compare allopathic medicine
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