rheumatoid arthritis

noun

: a usually chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized especially by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes destruction of joints

—abbreviation RA compare osteoarthritis

Examples of rheumatoid arthritis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, as Norstella’s Chancellor notes, what goes up eventually comes down, and newer breakthroughs are likely to be in more niche areas, like myasthenia gravis, rather than mega-blockbusters for common ailments like rheumatoid arthritis. — Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Enbrel partially suppresses the immune system, reducing damage from rheumatoid arthritis and five other diseases where the body attacks its own tissues. — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 7 July 2026

After four weeks, those with moderate-to-severe depression and low-grade inflammation who took tocilizumab (commonly sold under the brand name Actemra), an immunosuppressant used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by lowering a specific type of inflammation, seemed to notch improvements. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 June 2026

The sandals have become a favorite among shoppers dealing with everything from general foot fatigue to more serious conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and posterior tendonitis. — Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rheumatoid arthritis

• diverticulitis
• epididymitis
• osteoarthritis
• periodontitis
• polymyositis
• pyelonephritis
• tenosynovitis
• adenitis
• arteritis
• cervicitis
• cholangitis
• choroiditis

Medical Definition

rheumatoid arthritis

noun

: a usually chronic disease that is considered an autoimmune disease and is characterized especially by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes destruction of joints

—abbreviation RA

called also atrophic arthritis

compare osteoarthritis