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

Hardie said papaya seeds may be especially helpful to people with heart disease, arthritis, and certain cancers.11 Though papaya seeds are chock-full of nutrients your body needs, some people should proceed with caution before adding them to their diet. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 12 Aug. 2025

But most people spend their final two decades managing chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cognitive decline, and others. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025

White Sands residents, for example, often require care to ease migraines, arthritis, knee problems and other aches and pains. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

Unlike arthritis, where your joints are inflamed, fibromyalgia is about how your brain and nerves handle pain signals, says Dr. Kara Wada, an immunologist and founder of the Immune Confident Institute. —Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 8 Aug. 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)