ossification

noun

os·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌä-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce ossification (audio)
1
a
: the natural process of bone formation
b
: the hardening (as of muscular tissue) into a bony substance
2
: a mass or particle of ossified tissue
3
: a tendency toward or state of being molded into a rigid, conventional, sterile, or unimaginative condition

Examples of ossification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The middle-class high-rise generation is not wrong to fear its salvation from ossification, for a self on the verge of metamorphosis is also on the verge of liquidation. Becca Rothfeld, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024 As ossification occurs, some baby bones also start smushing together, fusing into single, solid structures. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023 She was diagnosed with spinal degeneration with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, or OPLL. Eileen Finan, Peoplemag, 23 Sep. 2023 What this analysis overlooks is the extent to which these economic problems are part of a broader process of political ossification and ideological hardening. Ian Johnson, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023 Even a short history of cigarette use during the prime period for bone growth and ossification—adolescence and early adulthood—was correlated with a significant increase in the risk of osteoporotic fractures during late adulthood. Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2023 Inscriptions may rejuvenate excitement to build on Bitcoin again, challenging the community’s culture of technological rigidity and ossification. Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023 However, X-rays in April this year show something the surgeon called heterotopic ossification. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 8 Aug. 2021 The ossification of the Navy’s personnel infrastructure around large ship systems is a real problem. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ossification.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ossification was in 1671

Dictionary Entries Near ossification

Cite this Entry

“Ossification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ossification. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ossification

noun
os·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌäs-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce ossification (audio)
: the natural process of bone formation

Medical Definition

ossification

noun
os·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌäs-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce ossification (audio)
1
a
: the process of bone formation usually beginning at particular centers in each prospective bone and involving the activities of special osteoblasts that segregate and deposit inorganic bone substance about themselves compare calcification sense a
b
: an instance of this process
2
a
: the condition of being altered into a hard bony substance
ossification of soft tissue
b
: a mass or particle of ossified tissue : a calcareous deposit in the tissues
ossifications in the aortic wall
ossificatory
ˈäs-ə-fə-kə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-; especially British ˌäs-ə-fə-ˈkāt-(ə-)rē
adjective

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