ulcerative colitis

noun

: a nonspecific inflammatory disease of the colon of unknown cause characterized by diarrhea with discharge of mucus and blood, cramping abdominal pain, and inflammation and edema of the mucous membrane with patches of ulceration

Examples of ulcerative colitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just last week, for instance, he was cut by the Panthers after making a valiant NFL comeback attempt following a year of battling ulcerative colitis. —Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025

Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) so the idea that smoking would help one but hurt the other has been confounding. —New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2025

This causes inflammation of the digestive tract and includes conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. —Health, 16 Aug. 2025

Levitt was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 3 years old after her mother noticed symptoms like blood in her stool, frequent crying, and loss of appetite. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 13 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ulcerative colitis

• enterocolitis

Medical Definition

ulcerative colitis

noun

: a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon that is of unknown cause and is characterized by diarrhea with discharge of mucus and blood, cramping abdominal pain, and inflammation and edema of the mucous membrane with patches of ulceration