osteoporosis

noun

os·​te·​o·​po·​ro·​sis ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs 

plural osteoporoses ˌä-stē-ō-pə-ˈrō-ˌsēz 

: 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 

adjective

Examples of osteoporosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Taking multivitamins for postmenopausal females can decrease the risk of osteoporosis but may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025

Chronic liver diseases raise the risk of osteoporosis, a thinning and weakening of the bones. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 Dec. 2024

Mild loss of bone mass—called osteopenia—is a normal part of the aging process, but in some cases, osteopenia can develop into osteoporosis, a bone disease where the bones are so fragile that even a sneeze could break a rib. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

Menopause in general, because of low estrogen levels, can lead to the bone thinning disease osteoporosis, which makes fractures more likely. —Katie Camero, SELF, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

osteoporosis

noun

os·​te·​o·​po·​ro·​sis ˌäs-tē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs 

: 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 

plural osteoporoses -ˌsēz 

: 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 

adjective