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

There is no difference between her then, her hips, and now, only the rheumatoid arthritis. —Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026

Water flossers, says Nguyen, can provide real benefits to those without the manual dexterity to use floss—for example, people with hand tremors, Parkinson’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. —Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026

Beyond family history, those risk enhancers include being overweight or obese, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, as well as chronic inflammatory conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. —Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 Mar. 2026

Burton has a host of health issues, including rheumatoid arthritis, which has limited his mobility to a wheelchair. —Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 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