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

Collagen supplementation may help improve conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. —Devineé Lingo, Health, 23 Oct. 2025

Studies have shown benefits — such as in reducing pain from osteoarthritis. —Maria Godoy, NPR, 20 Oct. 2025

Exercise has long been recommended as one of the best ways to reduce pain and improve mobility for people with knee osteoarthritis. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Oct. 2025

Researchers are testing low-dose radiation to treat the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025

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