osteomalacia

noun

os·​te·​o·​ma·​la·​cia ˌä-stē-ō-mə-ˈlā-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce osteomalacia (audio)
: a disease of adults that is characterized by softening of the bones and is analogous to rickets in the young

Examples of osteomalacia 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.
Osteoporosis causes weak bones that fracture easily.4 Similarly, a vitamin D deficiency may increase your risk of osteomalacia, which causes bone pain and weak muscles.5 Iron is another key nutrient. Isadora Baum, Health, 28 Mar. 2023 In children, a lack of vitamin D can cause rickets, a now-rare bone disease, according to Harvard Health Publishing, and adults without sufficient vitamin D can face bone diseases such as osteomalacia or osteoporosis. Jacob Livesay, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2023 Without enough of it, bones can become thin, brittle and misshapen, causing a condition called rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Liz Szabo, The Seattle Times, 20 Aug. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from oste- + Greek malakia softness, from malakos soft — more at mollify

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of osteomalacia was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near osteomalacia

Cite this Entry

“Osteomalacia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osteomalacia. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

osteomalacia

noun
os·​teo·​ma·​la·​cia ˌäs-tē-ō-mə-ˈlā-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce osteomalacia (audio)
: a disease of adults that is characterized by softening of the bones and is analogous to rickets in the young
osteomalacic adjective

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