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

May Improve Inflammatory Joint Diseases Research indicates that consuming olive oil may have advantages for people with inflammatory joint disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2025

In July, the Food and Drug Administration approved the device, made by SetPoint Medical, for people with rheumatoid arthritis whose symptoms aren't adequately controlled by drugs. —Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025

Recognizing the Symptoms Granulomatous mastitis is a chronic, unpredictable breast inflammation with flare-ups similar to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or inflammatory thyroid disorders. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025

Some patients develop overlapping conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025

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