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.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The library currently covers four different medical disciplines, including orthopedics and ophthalmology. 
Isabelle Bousquette, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 It was ranked 29th for diabetes and endocrinology; 30th in the U.S. for cancer care; 36th in neurology and neurosurgery; 45th in orthopedics; 41st for gastroenterology surgery and gastrointestinal surgery; and 47th in obstetrics and gynecology. Caroline Catherman, Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2022 Change is palpable: The number of Black trainees that are applying and being selected for spots in elite specialties such as orthopedics and thoracic surgery is on the rise. Usha Lee Mcfarling, STAT, 23 June 2022 Grant was working in orthopedics and had contacts in the medical equipment field with millions of N95 masks but no way to distribute them. Grant Hughes, Glamour, 13 July 2022 The students will serve two-month rotations that will focus on primary care sports medicine, orthopedics and athletic training. Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2022 Boston Children’s also was ranked No. 1 in the country for pediatric cancer treatment, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and urology. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2022 Unlike other areas of medicine, where candidates can choose a medical college to attend, in orthopedics, schools and prospects have to be matched. Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 4 June 2022 Surgical specialists in pediatrics, orthopedics, urology, general surgery, gastroenterology, ear, nose, and throat and more will care for patients at the new center. al, 24 May 2022 See More
Isabelle Bousquette, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 It was ranked 29th for diabetes and endocrinology; 30th in the U.S. for cancer care; 36th in neurology and neurosurgery; 45th in orthopedics; 41st for gastroenterology surgery and gastrointestinal surgery; and 47th in obstetrics and gynecology. Caroline Catherman, Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2022 Change is palpable: The number of Black trainees that are applying and being selected for spots in elite specialties such as orthopedics and thoracic surgery is on the rise. Usha Lee Mcfarling, STAT, 23 June 2022 Grant was working in orthopedics and had contacts in the medical equipment field with millions of N95 masks but no way to distribute them. Grant Hughes, Glamour, 13 July 2022 The students will serve two-month rotations that will focus on primary care sports medicine, orthopedics and athletic training. Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2022 Boston Children’s also was ranked No. 1 in the country for pediatric cancer treatment, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and urology. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2022 Unlike other areas of medicine, where candidates can choose a medical college to attend, in orthopedics, schools and prospects have to be matched. Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 4 June 2022 Surgical specialists in pediatrics, orthopedics, urology, general surgery, gastroenterology, ear, nose, and throat and more will care for patients at the new center. al, 24 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1853, in the meaning defined above
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)