arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrī-təs How to pronounce arthritis (audio)
plural arthritides är-ˈthri-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce arthritis (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Inflammatory Arthritis Inflammatory arthritis is a group of chronic joint conditions that cause inflammation. Joy Emeh, Health, 5 Oct. 2025 Sesame oil is high in antioxidants that may help decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease, along with reducing joint pain related to arthritis. Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025 Typically caused by a sensitive immune system — which confuses innocuous bacteria for harmful pathogens — symptoms include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss, anemia, skin changes, arthritis and more. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 The mineral-rich hot springs in the American West and Japan have long been touted for their ability to cure everything from arthritis to skin conditions. AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for arthritis

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of arthritis was in 1543

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arthritis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arthritis. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

arthritis

noun
ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrīt-əs How to pronounce arthritis (audio)
: inflammation of the joints
arthritic
-ˈthrit-ik
adjective or noun

Medical Definition

arthritis

noun
ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrīt-əs How to pronounce arthritis (audio)
plural arthritides -ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce arthritis (audio)
: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes
also : a specific arthritic condition (as gouty arthritis or psoriatic arthritis)

More from Merriam-Webster on arthritis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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