osteoporosis

noun

os·​te·​o·​po·​ro·​sis ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs 

plural osteoporoses ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrō-ˌsēz 

: a condition that affects especially older women and is characterized by decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement of bone spaces producing porosity and fragility

osteoporotic

ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrä-tik 

adjective

Examples of osteoporosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People assigned male at birth who are 65 and older should also have this test; in recent years, osteoporosis and fractures have become more common in males.31 The most common way to test a person's bone density is with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 12 Jan. 2025

If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can lead to more serious health conditions, such as osteoporosis or a thyroid storm, says Chang. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025

Its potential legitimate uses have included treating muscle-wasting disease and osteoporosis. —Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

Further, an analysis of the skeletal remains indicated that the woman likely suffered from osteoporosis, a disease commonly associated with older women. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from oste- + porosis rarefaction, from porus pore + -osis

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

osteoporosis

noun

os·​te·​o·​po·​ro·​sis ˌäs-tē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs 

: a condition affecting especially older women that is characterized by weak bones that are easily broken

Medical Definition

osteoporosis

noun

os·​teo·​po·​ro·​sis ˌäs-tē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs 

plural osteoporoses -ˌsēz 

: a condition that affects especially older women and is characterized by decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement of bone spaces producing porosity and brittleness

osteoporotic

-ˈrät-ik 

adjective