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 study analyzed health records from more than 26,000 adults with obesity and at least one autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, and celiac disease. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 June 2026

Menopause and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can also accelerate collagen loss, according to the Arthritis Foundation. —Stacey Colino, Time, 8 June 2026

In Argentina, researchers are testing whether a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis might help fight hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe infection caused by both the Andes virus and the Sin Nombre virus, a type of hantavirus found in North America. —ABC News, 3 June 2026

The medication is also used widely for conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. —Dara Kass, The Conversation, 26 May 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