1. A crackling or grating sound or sensation, especially one heard or felt in the joints or lungs during medical examination.
Usage: medical term; often used in clinical contexts
2. A crackling sound produced by the rubbing together of fractured bone ends.
Usage: medical/orthopedic term

Examples

• The doctor detected crepitus in the patient's lungs using a stethoscope.
• Crepitus in the knee joint may indicate cartilage damage.
• The orthopedist noted crepitus when examining the fractured rib.
• Fine crepitus is sometimes heard in patients with pneumonia.
• Joint crepitus can occur with osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions.