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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Electric vegetable choppers have some of the same functionality as a food processor and are great for people with hand pain or arthritis. —

Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2023 An epic swap meet breaks out for the season with vendors selling rocks, jewelry, handmade crafts, tools, arthritis cures and just about everything else. —

Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 6 Jan. 2023 This pet supplement can also help to manage your dog’s skin problems, such as dryness, flaking, and itching, and its joint pain or arthritis issues. —

Dallas News, 2 Jan. 2023 Ridgefield Running Company regularly works with the local medical community to help recommend shoes, insoles and accessories to help people run and walk in comfort, especially those who have long-term ailments like arthritis or diabetes. —

Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 8 Dec. 2022 Older pets, especially, often struggle with joint pain due to arthritis. —

Dallas News, 2 Jan. 2023 In rare cases infections can enter the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. —

Marcia Greenwood, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2022 Glucosamine, a natural arthritis treatment that is also high in chondroitin sulfate. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2022 Polk, recently evicted and living in a trailer in Northeast Portland, has degenerative joint arthritis. —

oregonlive, 23 Dec. 2022 See More

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.

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

See more words from the same year