osteoporosis

noun

os·​te·​o·​po·​ro·​sis ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
plural osteoporoses ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrō-ˌsēz How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
: a condition that affects especially older women and is characterized by decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement of bone spaces producing porosity and fragility
osteoporotic adjective

Examples of osteoporosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Helps Support Bone Health Green tea may lower your risk of osteoporosis, a bone disease that increases the risk of hip, spine, and wrist fractures. Cynthia Sass, Mph, Rd, Health, 28 Aug. 2023 Indeed, low collagen is linked to osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 27 Aug. 2023 Like his character in the film, Kent also battled with a skin disorder, in addition to osteoporosis and arthritis. Mckinley Franklin, Variety, 15 Aug. 2023 Greens for better bone health Another side effect of falling oestrogen levels is a reduction in bone density and mass, both of which can lead to conditions like osteoporosis—experts believe that women lose as much as 10 percent of their bone mass in the first five years after menopause. Georgia Day, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2023 Without adequate calcium intake, vegans may be at a higher risk of developing conditions like osteoporosis, which weakens the bones and increases the likelihood of fractures. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023 As such, an unexpected finding of osteoporosis in a man should be repeated to be sure that the test result is accurate. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 24 July 2023 Without calcium, your risk of osteoporosis increases. Isadora Baum, Health, 28 Mar. 2023 Calcium plays a significant role in supporting bone health as women age, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from oste- + porosis rarefaction, from porus pore + -osis

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of osteoporosis was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near osteoporosis

Cite this Entry

“Osteoporosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osteoporosis. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

osteoporosis

noun
os·​te·​o·​po·​ro·​sis ˌäs-tē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
: a condition affecting especially older women that is characterized by weak bones that are easily broken

Medical Definition

osteoporosis

noun
os·​teo·​po·​ro·​sis ˌäs-tē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
plural osteoporoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
: a condition that affects especially older women and is characterized by decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement of bone spaces producing porosity and brittleness
osteoporotic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on osteoporosis

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