osteoporosis

noun

os·​te·​o·​po·​ro·​sis ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
plural osteoporoses ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrō-ˌsēz How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
: a condition that affects especially older women and is characterized by decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement of bone spaces producing porosity and fragility
osteoporotic
ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrä-tik How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
adjective

Examples of osteoporosis 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.
After three or four years without estrogen, a bone scan revealed that Ambrose had developed osteopenia — a precursor to osteoporosis. — Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2025 Magnesium decreases the absorption of oral bisphosphonates taken for osteoporosis. — Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025 Magnesium may decrease the absorption of medications in this class of drug used to treat osteoporosis. — Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 5 Mar. 2025 However, insurance companies tend only to cover the use of DEXA as a bone density test for people at risk of osteoporosis. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for osteoporosis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from oste- + porosis rarefaction, from porus pore + -osis

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of osteoporosis was in 1841

Rhymes for osteoporosis

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Browse Nearby Words

osteoplasty
osteoporosis
osteosarcoma
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Cite this Entry

“Osteoporosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osteoporosis. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

osteoporosis

noun
os·​te·​o·​po·​ro·​sis ˌäs-tē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
: a condition affecting especially older women that is characterized by weak bones that are easily broken

Medical Definition

osteoporosis

noun
os·​teo·​po·​ro·​sis ˌäs-tē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
plural osteoporoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
: a condition that affects especially older women and is characterized by decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement of bone spaces producing porosity and brittleness
osteoporotic
-ˈrät-ik How to pronounce osteoporosis (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on osteoporosis

Nglish: Translation of osteoporosis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about osteoporosis

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