dysplasia

noun

dys·​pla·​sia dis-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə 

: abnormal growth or development (as of organs or cells)

broadly : abnormal anatomical structure due to such growth

dysplastic

dis-ˈpla-stik 

adjective

Examples of dysplasia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those with Barrett’s esophagus — which causes the tissue along the esophagus to become more like intestinal tissue — run a slight risk of developing dysplasia, a pre-cancerous state. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2025

Markert fought for his bomb-sniffing dog, Attila, to be medically retired after the dog was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, renal disease and kidney disease last year. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 29 May 2025

The young athlete from Andover, Minnesota has played sports for most of his life, despite suffering from a medical condition called cortical dysplasia, according to CBS. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025

The actress was diagnosed with kidney dysplasia as a child and has undergone two kidney transplants. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from German Dysplasie, from dys- dys- + -plasie -plasia

First Known Use

circa 1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dysplasia

• aphasia
• aplasia
• fantasia
• achalasia
• euthanasia
• hyperplasia
• hypoplasia
• metaplasia
• neoplasia
• telangiectasia

Medical Definition

dysplasia

noun

dys·​pla·​sia dis-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə 

1

: variation in somatotype (as in degree of ectomorphy, endomorphy, or mesomorphy) from one part of a human body to another

2

: abnormal growth or development (as of organs or cells)

broadly : abnormal anatomic structure due to such growth

dysplastic

-ˈplas-tik 

adjective