arthritis

play

noun ar·thri·tis \är-ˈthrī-təs\

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

My shoulder’s getting arthritis in it and my knees hurt sometimes.

— charlotteobserver, "82-year-old man stays 62 years in same job, says he's retiring... again", 2 June 2017
Immunotherapy side effects include possible skin reactions, flu-like symptoms, heart palpitations, diarrhea, infection, arthritis, or severe or even deadly allergic reactions.

— jacqueline howard, CNN, "Hope and hype around cancer immunotherapy", 2 June 2017
Arthritis pain may also be relieved with acupuncture treatment.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "Acupuncture is an alternative to drugs for pain treatment", 31 May 2017
And with age, cats can certainly develop arthritis.

— kim campbell thornton, sacbee, "Puzzle toys enhance play and put pets’ brains in gear", 26 May 2017
No cause was provided, but the professor had been afflicted since childhood with rheumatoid arthritis.

— john rogers, Washington Post, "Roger Boesche, professor who sparked future President Obama’s passion for politics, dies at 69", 26 May 2017
The professor had been treated for rheumatoid arthritis since childhood and had undergone numerous surgeries throughout his life.

— the associated press, New York Times, "Roger Boesche, Professor Who Stirred Obama’s Interest in Politics, Dies at 69", 25 May 2017
Boesche fought a lifelong battle with crippling rheumatoid arthritis, which shrunk his previously athletic 6-foot frame and later left him wheelchair-bound.

— victoria kim, latimes.com, "Roger Boesche, Occidental professor who sparked Obama's interest in politics, dies at 69", 24 May 2017
Warren, N.J.-based Celgene is testing thalidomide in more than 60 clinical trials to treat a wide range of cancers as well as other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammation of the bowels.

— reuters, WIRED, "Thalidomide, Take Two", 29 Nov. 1999

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

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First Known Use: 1543

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

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

ARTHRITIS Defined for English Language Learners

arthritis

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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

play

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

play

noun ar·thri·tis \är-ˈthrīt-əs\

Medical Definition of arthritis

plural

arthrithritides

\-ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz\play

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