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

Its current blockbuster is a drug called Bimzelx, which is used to treat autoimmune disorders including psoriasis and inflammatory arthritis. —ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026

By early December, James was out again; this time, the injury report cited arthritis in the left foot joint, in addition to the nerve pain in his leg. —Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve moderate pain like a headache or fever and arthritis symptoms like swelling or joint pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 20 Mar. 2026

James, who took a hard spill in the fourth quarter and banged his right elbow, was officially nursing left foot arthritis. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

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)