tendinitis

American  

[ten-duh-nahy-tis] / ˌtɛn dəˈnaɪ tɪs /

Also tendonitis,

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of a tendon.

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tendinitis British  

/ ˌtɛndəˈnaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of a tendon

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Etymology

Origin of tendinitis

1895–1900; < New Latin tendin- ( see tendinous) + -itis

Explanation

Tennis players who overexert themselves might experience pain and swelling in their elbows, a sign they could be dealing with tendinitis — inflammation of the connective fiber within their joints. Tendinitis is a condition where a tendon, the thick cord that connects muscle to bone, becomes inflamed due to overuse or injury. The word tendinitis comes from the Latin word tendo, meaning "stretch," and the suffix -itis, which indicates inflammation. This condition is common among athletes and people who perform repetitive motions, causing pain and swelling in the affected joint.

Example Sentences

No fan base catastrophizes like Boston’s, even if their franchises are habitual contenders and the locals have chronic tendinitis from applauding at a zillion duck boat championship parades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Lula was also given an injection in his right wrist to treat tendinitis in his thumb.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Backing off, cleaning up mechanics and strengthening the right muscles early can help me prevent a minor irritation from progressing to tendinitis, rotator-cuff pathology or a more-persistent overuse injury.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Part of the problem was physical, with Glasnow missing two weeks in July because of back tightness before going down for good in mid-August with elbow tendinitis.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2025

As in: On the top shelf of Mom and Dad’s closet in a silver safety box JB and I discovered that my dad has jumper’s knee, a.k.a. patellar tendinitis.

From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander