sciatica

noun sci·at·i·ca \ sī-ˈa-ti-kə \

Definition of sciatica

: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

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Recent Examples of sciatica from the Web

Sarah B., a 43-year-old construction worker in Vancouver, Wash., said when her father entered hospice care at his home in Oregon, she was addicted to opioids, stemming from a hydrocodone prescription for sciatica.

— melissa bailey, Kaiser Health News, "Dying At Home In An Opioid Crisis: Hospices Grapple With Stolen Meds," 22 Aug. 2017
Sarah B., a 43-year-old construction worker in Vancouver, Washington, said that when her father entered hospice care at his home in Oregon, she was addicted to opioids, stemming from a hydrocodone prescription for sciatica.

— chicagotribune.com, "Hospices can be a source of illicit opioids," 21 Aug. 2017
Sarah B., a 43-year-old construction worker in Vancouver, Wash., said that when her father entered hospice care at his home in Oregon, she was addicted to opioids, stemming from a hydrocodone prescription for sciatica.

— melissa bailey, Washington Post, "Dying at home in pain doesn’t keep relatives from stealing the pills," 21 Aug. 2017
Olivia Newton-John has postponed this month's tour dates due to sciatica, according to her manager.

— Daily Southtown, "Piqniq rockers, moonlight concerts -- outdoor music season underway," 11 May 2017
The singer and actress will reschedule her May shows because of problems with sciatica.

— colin stutz, Billboard, "Olivia Newton-John Postpones Midwest Tour Dates Due to Health Issues," 9 May 2017
The statement on his website said the bottom disc in Woods’s lower back had severely narrowed, causing sciatica and severe pain in his back and legs.

— the associated press, New York Times, "Tiger Woods Has a Fourth Back Operation," 20 Apr. 2017
Margolis wears it on her neck; her mother uses it for sciatica.

— lizzie widdicombe, The New Yorker, "The Martha Stewart of Marijuana Edibles," 13 Apr. 2017
More than a decade ago, the biology teacher from County Kerry, Ireland, was laid up in the hospital with sciatica in both legs.

— sol neelman, WIRED, "‘First Lady of Irish Bog Snorkeling’ Is a Queen of Weird Sports," 28 Aug. 2012

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sciatica.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sciatica

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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SCIATICA Defined for English Language Learners

sciatica

noun

Definition of sciatica for English Language Learners

medical : pain in the lower back, hip, and especially the back of the thigh that is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve

Medical Dictionary

sciatica

noun sci·at·i·ca \ sī-ˈat-i-kə \

medical Definition of sciatica

: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