orthopedics

noun

or·​tho·​pe·​dics ˌȯr-thə-ˈpē-diks 

variants or less commonly orthopaedics

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: a branch of medicine concerned with the correction or prevention of deformities, disorders, or injuries of the skeleton and associated structures (such as tendons and ligaments)

Did you know?

Just as an orthodontist corrects crookedness in the teeth, an orthopedist corrects crookedness in the skeleton. Orthopedics is formed in part from the Greek word for "child", and many orthopedic patients are in fact children. But adults also often have need of orthopedic therapy, as when suffering from a joint disease like arthritis or when recovering from a broken arm or leg.

Examples of orthopedics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Specialty care—things like cardiology, nephrology, dermatology and orthopedics—tends to differ tremendously from primary care and urgent care in its accessibility. —Jeffrey Wessler, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023

Pope Francis, however, has made black orthopedics made by Argentinian shoemaker Carlos Samaria his signature look. —Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 31 Dec. 2022

These units specialize in stroke, orthopedics, neurosurgery, general neurology and epilepsy patients. —Julie Washington, cleveland, 19 Sep. 2022

That might have been the end for most pets, but Oscar’s luck changed when he was taken into the care of Noel Fitzpatrick, a veterinarian who specialized in orthopedics and neurosurgery. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1853, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

orthopedics

singular or plural noun

or·​tho·​pe·​dics ˌȯr-thə-ˈpēd-iks 

: a branch of medicine dealing with the correction or prevention of deformities, disorders, or injuries of the skeleton and structures (as tendons and ligaments) closely associated with it

Medical Definition

orthopedics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

or·​tho·​pe·​dics

variants or chiefly British orthopaedics

-ˈpēd-iks 

: a branch of medicine concerned with the correction or prevention of deformities, disorders, or injuries of the skeleton and associated structures (as tendons and ligaments)