osteoarthritis

American  

[os-tee-oh-ahr-thrahy-tis] / ˌɒs ti oʊ ɑrˈθraɪ tɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. the most common form of arthritis, usually occurring after middle age, marked by chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling.

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osteoarthritis British  

/ ˌɒstɪəʊɑːˈθrɪtɪk, ˌɒstɪəʊɑːˈθraɪtɪs /

noun

1. Also called: degenerative joint disease.  chronic inflammation of the joints, esp those that bear weight, with pain and stiffness

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osteoarthritis Scientific  

/ ŏs′tē-ō-är-thrī′tĭs /

1. A form of arthritis, occurring mainly in older people, that is characterized by chronic degeneration of the cartilage of the joints.

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Other Word Forms

• osteoarthritic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of osteoarthritis

First recorded in 1875–80; osteo- + arthritis

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

osteoarthritis

It found exercise reduces pain and improves function in people with knee osteoarthritis.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026

In July, Lilly said it was preparing application materials for retatrutide to treat obesity, knee osteoarthritis pain and sleep apnea, following data from two Phase 3 trials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

Obesity can be a risk factor for several chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and some cancers.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

Hip osteoarthritis affects millions of people around the world and is a major cause of long-term pain and disability.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

Figure 217, taken from Hutchinson's "Archives of Surgery," represents an extreme case of deformity of the knee-joints in a boy of seven, the result of severe osteoarthritis.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Walter L. (Walter Lytle) Pyle