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

"Other common treatments for knee osteoarthritis include strengthening the thigh muscles, using knee braces, taking anti-inflammatory medications, getting cortisone and other injections, and sometimes having knee replacement surgery."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

"Having weak leg muscles and being overweight or obese increases a person's risk for knee osteoarthritis," Cheng said.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

"Women, older adults, people with a prior knee injury and those with a family history of osteoarthritis are also more likely to have the condition."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

The gradual breakdown of cartilage is known as osteoarthritis, a condition which affects more than 500 million people worldwide.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026

One form of this, commonly seen in old men, called osteoarthritis, is often confined to the hip joint, and often produces considerable deformity.

From Psychotherapy by James J. (James Joseph) Walsh