synovial

adjective

sy·​no·​vi·​al sə-ˈnō-vē-əl 

: of, relating to, or secreting synovial fluid

synovial membranes

also : lined with synovial membrane

Examples of synovial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her daughter, Haven, had her right foot amputated after she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer that impacts the muscles and ligaments, and is often found in the limbs, near joints, the National Cancer Institute says. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

The then-23-year-old was subsequently diagnosed with Stage 4 synovial sarcoma. — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026

The genicular arteries—small vessels surrounding the knee—supply blood to inflamed synovial tissue. — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said he had been diagnosed with synovitis, a swelling of the synovial membrane, with a statement including a photo of Fernandez with strapping on that knee. — Colin Millar, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin synoviālis, from synovia synovia + Latin -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing synovial

• synovial fluid
• synovial joint

Rhymes for synovial

• jovial

Medical Definition

synovial

adjective

sy·​no·​vi·​al -vē-əl 

: of, relating to, or secreting synovial fluid

synovial effusion

also : lined with synovial membrane

a synovial bursa

synovial tendon sheaths