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

Women, in particular, are at high risk of developing such conditions after menopause as osteopenia or osteoporosis. —Jennifer Steinhoff, Verywell Health, 14 May 2025

In 2026, the federal government will begin negotiations for Medicare Part B medications, which include infusion treatments administered in outpatient facilities for diseases like cancer, lupus, osteoporosis and Crohn’s disease. —Dan McCarty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025

Commonly known as a DEXA scan, this test can help detect early signs of bone loss, a major risk factor for all sorts of debilitating conditions, including hip fractures and osteoporosis. —Galina Espinoza, Flow Space, 5 May 2025

Today, over 2 million researchers in almost 200 countries use the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database to assist their research for tasks like fighting malaria, discovering osteoporosis earlier and making progress in new Parkinson's treatments. —Naveen Zutshi, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

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

• actinomycosis
• atherosclerosis
• endometriosis
• erythematosus
• erythroblastosis
• granulomatosis
• hemochromatosis
• histiocytosis
• hyperkeratosis
• ketoacidosis
• mononucleosis
• osteonecrosis

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