arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrī-təs 

plural arthritides är-ˈthri-tə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes

also : a specific arthritic condition

Examples of arthritis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kids were getting diagnosed with what appeared to be arthritis. —Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 9 June 2026

The database also did not include some details that would help explain the findings, including X-rays, arthritis severity, pain scores, functional status, inflammatory markers, physical activity, frailty, or weight changes over time. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 June 2026

Queen also breaks down how HS can affect more than the skin, including its connection to inflammation throughout the body and conditions such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, depression and anxiety. —Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 1 June 2026

Older dogs with arthritis often pant, and dogs with abdominal, chest or spinal pain may pant because normal breathing hurts. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin arthrītis "pain in the joints," borrowed from Greek arthrītid-, arthrîtis "of the joints" (arthrîtis nósos "disease of the joints"), (as a noun) "gout," from árthron "joint, articulation" + -ītis -itis — more at arthro-

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing arthritis

• anti-arthritis
• reactive arthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis

Rhymes for arthritis

• bronchitis
• bursitis
• detritus
• gastritis
• mastitis
• metritis
• nephritis
• neuritis
• orchitis
• osteitis
• otitis
• phlebitis

Kids Definition

arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrīt-əs 

: inflammation of the joints

arthritic

-ˈthrit-ik

adjective or noun

Medical Definition

arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrīt-əs 

plural arthritides -ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes

also : a specific arthritic condition (as gouty arthritis or psoriatic arthritis)