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.
Joint arthritis and back pain can make walking more difficult. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 Cold appears to increase pain sensitivity and stiffen joints, which is why people with arthritis often brace for winter. — Feinuo Sun, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026 In rare circumstances, an infection can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026 The condition is similar to—and possibly a subtype of—rapid destructive arthritis, which was identified a year later in 1982. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 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

Phrases Containing arthritis

Rhymes for arthritis

See All Rhymes for arthritis

Browse Nearby Words

arthritic
arthritis
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Cite this Entry

“Arthritis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arthritis. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of arthritis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arthritis

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