hypermobility

noun

hy·​per·​mo·​bil·​i·​ty ˌhī-pər-mō-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce hypermobility (audio)
plural hypermobilities
: an increase in the range of movement of which a body part and especially a joint is capable
… don't continually try to pop your joints (i.e., crack your knuckles). This practice tends to create hypermobility and can lead to instability of the joint.Yoga Journal
There is evidence that hypermobility—the loose joints that many musicians have—seems to prevent repetitive-motion injuries.Industry Week
hypermobile adjective
hypermobile joints
a hypermobile patient [=a patient with hypermobile joints]
But for me, retinal damage was a symptom of a connective-tissue disorder, characterized by hypermobile joints and the threat of auditory and visual loss. Richard Lane

Examples of hypermobility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In another video, a user with hypermobility—when joints have an unusually large range of motion—shares how the changing seasons worsen her symptoms. Alyssa Hui, Health, 28 Oct. 2024 She’s specifically dealt with injuries related to her hypermobility, which means her joints stretch further than normal. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024 In addition, individuals who have been diagnosed with hypermobility disorders, like Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, should avoid stretching without their physician's approval. Tim Petrie, Dpt, Verywell Health, 10 July 2024 Many people will experience hypermobility in their joints during pregnancy as well due to the hormone relaxin. ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 July 2024 She was diagnosed in 2021 with a rare form of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which affects the connective tissues supporting skin, bones, blood vessels, and other organs and tissues, causing hypermobility. Kristen Philipkoski, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Most people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have an unusually large range of motion in their joints (known as hypermobility), along with skin that’s particularly stretchy and fragile. Korin Miller, SELF, 1 Feb. 2024 She was later diagnosed with hypermobility, a genetic condition that causes extreme flexibility to the point of pain, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2023 Charlotte Webber, an obvious pun, has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which causes hypermobility and extreme flexibility, along with resultant sores, bruising and additional injuries. Dan Gvozden, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypermobility was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near hypermobility

Cite this Entry

“Hypermobility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypermobility. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

hypermobility

noun
hy·​per·​mo·​bil·​i·​ty ˌhī-pər-mō-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce hypermobility (audio)
plural hypermobilities
: an increase in the range of movement of which a body part and especially a joint is capable
hypermobility of the left temporomandibular joint due to the looseness of the capsular ligamentsW. B. Farrar
hypermobile adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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