osteomalacia

noun

os·​te·​o·​ma·​la·​cia ˌä-stē-ō-mə-ˈlā-sh(ē-)ə 

: a disease of adults that is characterized by softening of the bones and is analogous to rickets in the young

Examples of osteomalacia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Osteoporosis causes weak bones that fracture easily.4 Similarly, a vitamin D deficiency may increase your risk of osteomalacia, which causes bone pain and weak muscles.5 Iron is another key nutrient. —Isadora Baum, Health, 28 Mar. 2023

In children, a lack of vitamin D can cause rickets, a now-rare bone disease, according to Harvard Health Publishing, and adults without sufficient vitamin D can face bone diseases such as osteomalacia or osteoporosis. —Jacob Livesay, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2023

Without enough of it, bones can become thin, brittle and misshapen, causing a condition called rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. —Liz Szabo, The Seattle Times, 20 Aug. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from oste- + Greek malakia softness, from malakos soft — more at mollify

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

osteomalacia

noun

os·​teo·​ma·​la·​cia ˌäs-tē-ō-mə-ˈlā-sh(ē-)ə 

: a disease of adults that is characterized by softening of the bones and is analogous to rickets in the young

osteomalacic

-ˈlā-sik 

adjective