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.

---

osteoarthritis British  

/ ˌɒstɪəʊɑːˈθraɪtɪs /

noun

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

---

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.

---

Other Word Forms

• osteoarthritic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of osteoarthritis

First recorded in 1875–80; osteo- + arthritis

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

osteoarthritis

Dr. Diana Girnita, founder and CEO of Rheumatologist OnCall, a telemedicine practice in more than 20 states, has seen patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriasis, and knee and hip osteoarthritis seek out GLP-1s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Many promising osteoarthritis treatments have stalled because the condition is slow-moving and unpredictable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

America’s population is aging, which means the number of people with osteoarthritis keeps rising.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

Knee osteoarthritis develops as the cartilage that cushions the bones in the joint gradually breaks down.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 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