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

The offerings include Eli Lilly’s Zepbound starting at $299 a month and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill for as little as $149 a month; AstraZeneca’s inhaler Bevespi for $51; and Pfizer’s Xeljanz, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions, for $1,518,30. —Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026

Forbes, the woman with rheumatoid arthritis near Nashville, had been on an ACA marketplace plan since 2018. —Renuka Rayasam, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2026

At the end of the 30-minute visit, Urban's doctor showed her the AI summary of the appointment, neatly organized into sections for her medical history, the physical exam findings and an assessment and treatment plan for her rheumatoid arthritis and hot flashes, among other details. —Michelle Andrews, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026

The former kindergarten teacher has severe rheumatoid arthritis, and has been trapped for weeks on the 19th floor of her Kyiv tower block, 650 steps from the ground. —Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 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
• blepharitis
• cervicitis
• cholangitis

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