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.
Key Takeaways Calcium supplements can help maintain bone health, especially for people who don’t get enough calcium from food or are at higher risk of fractures, like those with osteoporosis. — Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2026 The drop in estrogen that accompanies menopause also increases the risk of osteoporosis, making support for bone health especially important during midlife. — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 31 Aug. 2026 The Endocrine Society reports that significant skeletal loss can happen during menopause and roughly one in 10 women over 60 worldwide are affected by osteoporosis. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 And with adult women making up roughly 80% of those with osteoporosis, tennis’s natural weight-bearing style of play helps promote bone density, for early and late starters alike. — Lindsay Davenport, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 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
osteoporotic
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Cite this Entry

“Osteoporosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osteoporosis. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about osteoporosis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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