sciatica

noun

sci·​at·​i·​ca sī-ˈa-ti-kə 

: pain along the course of a sciatic nerve especially in the back of the thigh

broadly : pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or adjacent parts

Examples of sciatica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jones is also a potential successor to LeBron James, who is still playing his way into shape after missing the early portion of the season due to sciatica and will turn 41 years old later this month. —Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025

Al Horford will likely miss the game as well, having been out the last week with sciatica and for an excused personal reason. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025

LeBron James did not play in the Los Angeles Lakers’ opening game while suffering from sciatica, his first time missing the start of the season in twenty-three years, and was off the court until mid-November. —Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025

Downtown, the Lakers keep finding ways to win games despite LeBron James’s sciatica. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin, feminine of sciaticus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sciatica

• hepatica

Kids Definition

sciatica

noun

sci·​at·​i·​ca sī-ˈat-i-kə 

: pain along the course of a sciatic nerve especially in the back of the thigh

also : pain in or near the hips

Medical Definition

sciatica

noun

sci·​at·​i·​ca sī-ˈat-i-kə 

: pain along the course of a sciatic nerve especially in the back of the thigh caused by compression, inflammation, or reflex mechanisms

broadly : pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or adjacent parts