osteoarthritis

noun

os·​te·​o·​ar·​thri·​tis ˌä-stē-ō-är-ˈthrī-təs How to pronounce osteoarthritis (audio)
: a common form of arthritis typically with onset during middle or old age that is characterized by progressive degenerative changes in the cartilage of one or more joints (as of the knees, hips, and hands) accompanied by thickening and overgrowth of adjacent bone and that is marked symptomatically chiefly by stiffness, swelling, pain, deformation of joints, and loss of range of motion
abbreviation OA
compare rheumatoid arthritis
osteoarthritic adjective

Examples of osteoarthritis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Multiple remains showed signs of sinus and ear infections, while a bone disease known as osteoarthritis as well as various dental diseases were also noted. Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025 Such growths point to oral and maxillofacial disease, sinus and ear infections, and osteoarthritis, among others, the researchers reported in the British Dental Journal Open. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025 People with shoulder pain, osteoarthritis, or range-of-motion limitations should speak to their physician before trying this exercise. Katrina Carter, Verywell Health, 13 Feb. 2025 More research is needed to understand the best dose and turmeric product to treat osteoarthritis, plus its impact on other inflammatory disease symptoms.5 Treat indigestion: Turmeric may help treat indigestion, also called dyspepsia. Alex Yampolsky, Health, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for osteoarthritis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of osteoarthritis was in 1878

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Cite this Entry

“Osteoarthritis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osteoarthritis. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

osteoarthritis

noun
os·​teo·​ar·​thri·​tis
ˌäs-tē-ō-är-ˈthrīt-əs
: arthritis marked by the breakdown of cartilage and bone of joints

Medical Definition

osteoarthritis

noun
os·​teo·​ar·​thri·​tis ˌäs-tē-ō-är-ˈthrīt-əs How to pronounce osteoarthritis (audio)
plural osteoarthritides -ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce osteoarthritis (audio)
: a common form of arthritis typically with onset during middle or old age that is characterized by progressive degenerative changes in the cartilage of one or more joints (as of the knees, hips, and hands) accompanied by thickening and overgrowth of adjacent bone and that is marked symptomatically chiefly by stiffness, swelling, pain, deformation of joints, and loss of range of motion
abbreviation OA

called also degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, hypertrophic arthritis

compare rheumatoid arthritis
osteoarthritic adjective
Treatment for hand and finger osteoarthritis has the same goals as treatment for any osteoarthritic joint: pain reduction, mobility maintenance and minimization of disability. Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News

More from Merriam-Webster on osteoarthritis

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