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

James sat out Friday night against Boston with sciatica, which kept him sidelined for the first 14 games this season, and left foot joint arthritis. —CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

James sat out due to a back-to-back and is still managing the sciatica that kept him out at the start of the season. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

The Lakers ruled the 40-year-old James out because of right sciatica and left foot joint arthritis. —Khobi Price, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025

Boston had no trouble dispatching the shorthanded Lakers, who were playing without James (sciatica/foot), Doncic (personal reasons) and ex-Celtic Marcus Smart (back). —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Dec. 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