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

Although ACL injuries can be surgically repaired, roughly half of affected people develop osteoarthritis in the injured joint within about 15 years.

From Science Daily • Jun. 12, 2026

In contrast, untreated animals showed 15-PGDH levels that were about twice as high as those of uninjured mice and developed osteoarthritis within four weeks.

From Science Daily • Jun. 12, 2026

Eli Lilly’s Foundayo pill showed significant weight loss in menopausal women, and retatrutide improved osteoarthritis pain and sleep apnea.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

The same drug also was associated with improvements in osteoarthritis pain, moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, and Type 2 diabetes.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 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 Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)