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Definition of osteoporosis

osteoporosis

/ˌɒs.ti.oʊ.pəˈroʊ.sɪs/
os · te · o · po · ro · sis
Plural:osteoporoses
•
Adjective:osteoporotic
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osteoporosis Lexical Profile

osteoporosis Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A progressive skeletal disorder characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density and mass, resulting in porous, fragile bones that are highly susceptible to fractures.

Example

"Regular weight-bearing exercise and adequate calcium intake can help reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis later in life."

Word Nuance & Usage

Often confused with osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative condition affecting joint cartilage, whereas osteoporosis specifically weakens the internal structure and density of the bones themselves.

• Rhymes for osteoporosis

• Nearby Words

osteoglossum
osteopath
osteopathy
osteoporosis
osteospermum
ostomy
ostracism

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-19th century via French ostéoporose, combining Ancient Greek osteon ('bone'), poros ('pore' or 'passage'), and the medical suffix -osis ('condition').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Osteoporosis. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/osteoporosis
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