arthritis

noun ar·thri·tis \ är-ˈthrī-təs \

|Updated on: 19 Jul 2018

Definition of arthritis

plural arthritides play \-ˈthri-tə-ˌdēz\

: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes; also : a specific arthritic condition

See arthritis defined for English-language learners

See arthritis defined for kids

Recent Examples of arthritis from the Web

In May 2000, Purdue’s hope to conquer the arthritis market hit a snag when the FDA criticized an ad for OxyContin in the New England Journal of Medicine.

— fred schulte, Sun-Sentinel.com, "How America got hooked on the deadly drug OxyContin," 18 June 2018
Sarah Bills McElfresh, a nurse practitioner with OrthoCincy, has been involved with the Arthritis Foundation in Cincinnati since her daughter, Ila, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis as a toddler.

— orthocincy, Cincinnati.com, "Walking for a good cause is great for your health," 23 Apr. 2018
Fixing the problem The arthritis drug is also a personal issue for Schutz, who has wryly discussed his own struggle with arthritic knees.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Seeking financial security, Scripps Research is taking its science directly to patients," 24 June 2018
In May 2000, Purdue’s hope to conquer the arthritis market hit a snag when the FDA criticized an ad for OxyContin in the New England Journal of Medicine.

— fred schulte, Sun-Sentinel.com, "How America got hooked on the deadly drug OxyContin," 18 June 2018
In May 2000, Purdue’s hope to conquer the arthritis market hit a snag when the FDA criticized an ad for OxyContin in the New England Journal of Medicine.

— fred schulte, Washington Post, "How America Got Hooked On A Deadly Drug," 13 June 2018
Rather than running an ad for an arthritis drug for an entire audience, a young family might see a diaper ad, while a single man nearby might see videogame ads.

— alexandra bruell, WSJ, "AT&T Beat the Government Over Time Warner—Now Comes the Hard Part," 13 June 2018
With surgical care often delayed in their country, people with chronic conditions like arthritis travel to various locations throughout the U.S. and even abroad.

— leigh farr, azcentral, "Healthy travel," 4 June 2018
Women more commonly suffer from fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases including lupus and inflammatory arthritis, and migraine headaches, among other painful conditions that can be hard to control.

— karen sibert, Philly.com, "Pain patients, here's why doctors may not understand your misery," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arthritis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of arthritis

Latin, from Greek, from arthron

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1543

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

ARTHRITIS Defined for English Language Learners

arthritis

noun

Definition of arthritis for English Language Learners

medical : a disease that causes the joints of the body to become swollen and painful

ARTHRITIS Defined for Kids

arthritis

noun ar·thri·tis \ är-ˈthrī-təs \

Definition of arthritis for Students

: a condition in which the joints are painful and swollen

Medical Dictionary

arthritis

noun ar·thri·tis \ är-ˈthrīt-əs \

medical Definition of arthritis

plural arthritides play \-ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz\

: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes; also : a specific arthritic condition (as gouty arthritis or psoriatic arthritis)