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Glite Dictionary
to ambulate

to ambulate

1 8.8
To walk again after being ill or injured
  • verb
  • /ˈæmbjʊˌleɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ambular
  • After undergoing physical therapy, she was finally able to ambulate without any assistance.
  • the ability to ambulate
  • the patient ambulates
  • ambulate more

Examples

  • I was admittedly challenged by her goal of ambulating pain-free without devices.

    Blog text (14)

  • All subjects ambulate up to the end of the ramp, where it levels off, make a 180-degree turn, and walk down.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Only three patients stated that the system had not helped them to ambulate more easily.

    Academic text (1991)

  • I draw blood, turn, or ambulate.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Consider an infant learning to ambulate.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The brochures give directions for a patient who is out of bed and ambulating.

    Academic text (2002)

  • When the patient ambulates, note smoothness, symmetry, and complaints of pain.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Biophysical advantages include the ability to ambulate with increased speed, participate in walking as an aerobic form of exercise, and gain strength and endurance.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Not using a cane or other mobility aid indicated that the female participants felt more confident in their ability to ambulate freely, thus increasing their likelihood of engaging in physical activity.

    Academic text (2009)

  • The purpose of the present study was to describe the ability of patients with chronic unilateral stroke to ambulate at different speeds and to examine the relationship between their postural sway and temporal parameters of gait.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

amble
vsto ambulate
1 4.5

A slow relaxed walk, often in a park or garden

emphasizes ability to walk between places rather than a leisurely stroll
to perambulate
vsto ambulate
1 9.7

To walk around without a clear destination for pleasure

is used to indicate ability to walk rather than leisure
to perambulating
vsto ambulate
8.2

To walk slowly without a clear purpose

focuses on walking as basic ability not aimless leisure

Antonyms

to stay put
  • Informal
133 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

to stay in place
10 1.5

Not move from a place

How Fast

march
69 1.8
to stride
16 2.7
to ambulate
  • Specialized
1 8.8
to stroll
122 1.8
shuffle
11 3.9

Surface Forms

ambulate infinitive
ambulated past
ambulated past participle
ambulating present participle
ambulates third person singular

Morphology

ambulate = amble (semi-transparent) = ambul + ate

Formally built with the Latinate combining form 'ambul-' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ate'; the basic meaning 'to walk' is related but the Latinate form and formal/medical register make the relation less obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Ambulate comes from the Latin verb ambulare, which means 'to walk'. Think of the familiar word amble ('walk slowly') or ambulance (a vehicle that moves sick people), both from the same root, so ambulate means to walk from place to place, often after illness or surgery.