achondroplasia

noun

achon·​dro·​pla·​sia ˌā-ˌkän-drə-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə 

: a genetic disorder that is marked by abnormally slow conversion of cartilage to bone during development resulting in a form of dwarfism characterized by a usually normal torso and shortened limbs and that is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait

achondroplastic

ˌā-ˌkän-drə-ˈpla-stik 

adjective

Examples of achondroplasia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jacob's father, Matt, has diastrophic dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism, and his mother, Amy, and brother, Zach, have achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

On Tuesday's episode of Little People, Big World, Tori Roloff opened up about how learning of baby Lilah's achondroplasia. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 8 Apr. 2020

As a person with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, dating can be kind of tough when a lot of people are looking for that six-foot-four guy. — Taylor Lorenz, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2020

Bayles was born with achondroplasia, a genetic order that results in dwarfism. — NBC News, 21 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French achondroplasie, from a- a- entry 2 + chondro- chondro- + -plasie -plasia

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for achondroplasia

• achalasia
• euthanasia
• hyperplasia
• hypoplasia
• metaplasia
• neoplasia
• aphasia
• aplasia
• dysplasia
• fantasia
• telangiectasia

Medical Definition

achondroplasia

noun

achon·​dro·​pla·​sia ˌā-ˌkän-drə-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə 

: a genetic disorder that is marked by abnormally slow conversion of cartilage to bone during development and results in a form of dwarfism characterized by a usually normal torso and shortened limbs

Note: Achondroplasia is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait requiring that only one parent passes on a copy of the defective gene on a chromosome other than a sex chromosome. The majority of cases of achondroplasia result from a new spontaneous gene mutation.

compare ateliosis