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

For now, Icotyde is only approved to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, but J & J is studying it to expand its label to include other autoimmune conditions, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Doctors attempted to treat the actor with prescriptions used for patients with Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, but nothing worked. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

People with a family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis face higher risk and may need earlier screening. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

People with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and those with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease, IBS or ulcerative colitis, face elevated risk because chronic inflammation can promote abnormal growths. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

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