arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrī-təs 

plural arthritides är-ˈthri-tə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes

also : a specific arthritic condition

Examples of arthritis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, its medical applications are vast, with research backing its efficacy for conditions such as: Chronic Pain Relief: Cannabis has been found to help patients with arthritis, migraines, and neuropathic pain (Harvard Health, 2020). —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025

Traditionally, the oil has been used to help constipation, wound healing, menstrual cramps, arthritis, headaches, and labor induction.1 Applying castor oil to the belly button, or navel pulling, is thought to reduce bloating and promote healthy digestion. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Mar. 2025

Those include brain infections, neurological conditions, arthritis, anemia, respiratory involvement, pancreatitis, cardiovascular complications, like aneurysms, and inflammation of the spinal cord, among many other things. —Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025

Beef tallow is also high in calories — 1,849 calories in a single cup, per U.S. Department of Agriculture, and has been shown to cause inflammation and may thereby contribute to chronic diseases like arthritis and cancer. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin arthrītis "pain in the joints," borrowed from Greek arthrītid-, arthrîtis "of the joints" (arthrîtis nósos "disease of the joints"), (as a noun) "gout," from árthron "joint, articulation" + -ītis -itis — more at arthro-

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing arthritis

• anti-arthritis
• reactive arthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis

Rhymes for arthritis

• bronchitis
• bursitis
• detritus
• gastritis
• glossitis
• mastitis
• metritis
• nephritis
• neuritis
• orchitis
• osteitis
• otitis

Kids Definition

arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrīt-əs 

: inflammation of the joints

arthritic

-ˈthrit-ik

adjective or noun

Medical Definition

arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrīt-əs 

plural arthritides -ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes

also : a specific arthritic condition (as gouty arthritis or psoriatic arthritis)