Definition of Paget's disease
1 : a rare form of breast cancer initially manifested as a scaly red rash on the nipple and areola
2 or Paget's disease of bone : a chronic disease that is characterized by one or more enlarged, weak bones (such as of the pelvis, spine, or skull) and may be marked by bone pain but is often asymptomatic
Note: Paget's disease is caused by a high level of bone resorption by osteoclasts followed by rapid formation of structurally unsound bone by osteoblasts. Symptoms include bowing of the long bones, deformation of the skull and pelvis, and abnormal fractures occurring in weakened bone.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quizWords of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizHow Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quizPlay the game
Share Paget's disease
Time Traveler for Paget's disease
The first known use of Paget's disease was in 1880
See more words from the same year