arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrī-təs How to pronounce arthritis (audio)
plural arthritides är-ˈthri-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce arthritis (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
About one in five adults in the US are affected by some type of arthritis. Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025 Then the same soothing voice that advises you to see a doctor for a prescription cautions the medication might also lead you to develop symptoms of myelosuppression, psoriatic arthritis and abdominal swelling. Scott Simon, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025 Salmonella rarely results in more serious ailments, which can include arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025 About 1% of the US population has axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), a rare form of inflammatory arthritis that can cause severe joint pain, muscle spasms, stiffness, and discomfort throughout the body. Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for arthritis

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of arthritis was in 1543

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arthritis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arthritis. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

arthritis

noun
ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrīt-əs How to pronounce arthritis (audio)
: inflammation of the joints
arthritic
-ˈthrit-ik
adjective or noun

Medical Definition

arthritis

noun
ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrīt-əs How to pronounce arthritis (audio)
plural arthritides -ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce arthritis (audio)
: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes
also : a specific arthritic condition (as gouty arthritis or psoriatic arthritis)

More from Merriam-Webster on arthritis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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