osteoporosis

noun

os·​te·​o·​po·​ro·​sis ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs 

plural osteoporoses ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrō-ˌsēz 

: 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

ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrä-tik 

adjective

Examples of osteoporosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

For You Resistance training can strengthen muscles and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2023

When too much calcium is removed from bones, the bones weaken and are vulnerable to breaking, a condition known as osteoporosis. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 10 Aug. 2023

Magnesium - Besides helping keep bones strong to stave off osteoporosis, magnesium helps with menopausal symptoms like sleep difficulty and depression. —Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 27 May 2023

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

osteoporosis

noun

os·​te·​o·​po·​ro·​sis ˌäs-tē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs 

: 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 

plural osteoporoses -ˌsēz 

: 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

-ˈrät-ik 

adjective