sciatica

noun

sci·​at·​i·​ca sī-ˈa-ti-kə 

: pain along the course of a sciatic nerve especially in the back of the thigh

broadly : pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or adjacent parts

Examples of sciatica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pope has faced multiple health concerns in the past, including chronic knee pain, sciatica and past surgeries. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025

The Clifton 9 excelled on the road, offering stability and reducing foot fatigue, even for those with sciatica. —Will Porter, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2025

Before starting yoga to relieve sciatica pain, consult a healthcare provider. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025

The sciatica study was smaller than the others, with about 100 people in the suzetrigine arm and in the placebo group, so there may not have been enough participants to show clear differences between the groups. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin, feminine of sciaticus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sciatica

noun

sci·​at·​i·​ca sī-ˈat-i-kə 

: pain along the course of a sciatic nerve especially in the back of the thigh

also : pain in or near the hips

Medical Definition

sciatica

noun

sci·​at·​i·​ca sī-ˈat-i-kə 

: pain along the course of a sciatic nerve especially in the back of the thigh caused by compression, inflammation, or reflex mechanisms

broadly : pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or adjacent parts