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

The Endocrine Society reports that significant skeletal loss can happen during menopause and roughly one in 10 women over 60 worldwide are affected by osteoporosis. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

And with adult women making up roughly 80% of those with osteoporosis, tennis’s natural weight-bearing style of play helps promote bone density, for early and late starters alike. — Lindsay Davenport, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Forbes said many of her patients seek treatment for chronic or intractable pain linked to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic back problems and degenerative disease. — Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

The trend sits at the intersection of rucking culture, midlife menopause wellness, osteoporosis concerns and the broader shift toward ambient wellness routines. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for osteoporosis

• amyloidosis
• anaplasmosis
• anastomosis
• aponeurosis
• apotheosis
• aspergillosis
• blastomycosis
• coccidiosis
• cryptococcosis
• cysticercosis
• endocytosis
• exocytosis

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