scoliosis

noun

sco·​li·​o·​sis ˌskō-lē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce scoliosis (audio)
plural scolioses ˌskō-lē-ˈō-ˌsēz How to pronounce scoliosis (audio)
: a lateral curvature of the spine
scoliotic adjective

Examples of scoliosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web People with Rett syndrome can also struggle with scoliosis, seizures, heart problems, issues eating and sleeping, and more. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Carmen’s back and neck are perpetually bent at a right angle, her left shoulder humping up cockeyed thanks to years of untreated scoliosis. Lisa Bubert, Longreads, 27 Feb. 2024 Confined to a wheelchair following two hip replacements, Taylor — who was made a dame in 2000 by Prime Minister Tony Blair — survived surgery for a benign brain tumor in 1997 and also suffered bouts of pneumonia, scoliosis and congestive heart failure. People Staff, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 The daughter of Irish Catholic public high school teachers, McCormick underwent spinal fusion surgery at age 15 for scoliosis, but that didn’t stop her from playing softball and running track. Rachel Lerman, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2024 Caught during a scoliosis screening at school, the diagnosis was unexpected. Anika Nayak, STAT, 5 Jan. 2024 The success of a novel scoliosis surgery hinges on when growth spurts hit. Anika Nayak, STAT, 5 Jan. 2024 The clip cut to Princess Eugenie’s Peter Pilotto gown on a mannequin (designed with an open back to show her childhood scoliosis surgery scar), the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara being placed on her head and the bride departing for the ceremony, bouquet in hand. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 12 Oct. 2023 Throwing out my back or tweaking a muscle is already easy enough without actively trying to give myself scoliosis in the name of fashion. Emily Kirkpatrick, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scoliosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin scoliōsis, borrowed from Greek skolíōsis "slanted or crooked state, curvature of the spine," from skoliō-, variant stem of skolióomai, skolioûsthai "to be bent or crooked" (verbal derivative of skoliós "bent, crooked, askew") + -sis -sis — more at isosceles

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scoliosis was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near scoliosis

Cite this Entry

“Scoliosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scoliosis. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scoliosis

noun
sco·​li·​o·​sis ˌskō-lē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce scoliosis (audio)
plural scolioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce scoliosis (audio)
: an abnormal sideways curving of the spine

Medical Definition

scoliosis

noun
sco·​li·​o·​sis ˌskō-lē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce scoliosis (audio)
plural scolioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce scoliosis (audio)
: a lateral curvature of the spine compare kyphosis, lordosis sense 2
scoliotic adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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