osteoarthritis

noun

os·​te·​o·​ar·​thri·​tis ˌä-stē-ō-är-ˈthrī-təs 

: a common form of arthritis typically with onset during middle or old age that is characterized by progressive degenerative changes in the cartilage of one or more joints (as of the knees, hips, and hands) accompanied by thickening and overgrowth of adjacent bone and that is marked symptomatically chiefly by stiffness, swelling, pain, deformation of joints, and loss of range of motion

—abbreviation OA compare rheumatoid arthritis

osteoarthritic

ˌä-stē-ō-är-ˈthri-tik 

adjective

Examples of osteoarthritis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some data suggests surgery can also reduce the risk of osteoarthritis — a common long-term concern after ACL injury — though the evidence is conflicting. —Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026

The sport does not prohibit hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that can be used to treat ailments such as osteoarthritis and dry eye, or as a cosmetic filler. —Peter Sblendorio, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026

And retatrutide's higher efficacy is likely best targeted for the population that needs to lose even more weight fast to alleviate other issues, like pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026

Multiple studies have found that curcumin supplements can reduce pain and inflammation in people with osteoarthritis or other joint conditions. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for osteoarthritis

• diverticulitis
• epididymitis
• periodontitis
• polymyositis
• pyelonephritis
• tenosynovitis
• adenitis
• arteritis
• blepharitis
• cervicitis
• cholangitis
• choroiditis

Kids Definition

osteoarthritis

noun

os·​teo·​ar·​thri·​tis

ˌäs-tē-ō-är-ˈthrīt-əs

: arthritis marked by the breakdown of cartilage and bone of joints

Medical Definition

osteoarthritis

noun

os·​teo·​ar·​thri·​tis ˌäs-tē-ō-är-ˈthrīt-əs 

plural osteoarthritides -ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz 

: a common form of arthritis typically with onset during middle or old age that is characterized by progressive degenerative changes in the cartilage of one or more joints (as of the knees, hips, and hands) accompanied by thickening and overgrowth of adjacent bone and that is marked symptomatically chiefly by stiffness, swelling, pain, deformation of joints, and loss of range of motion

—abbreviation OA

called also degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, hypertrophic arthritis

compare rheumatoid arthritis

osteoarthritic

-ˈthrit-ik 

adjective

Treatment for hand and finger osteoarthritis has the same goals as treatment for any osteoarthritic joint: pain reduction, mobility maintenance and minimization of disability.

—Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News