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

Inflammatory bowel diseases include a group of chronic conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis that may include inflammation of the colon as one of their many symptoms. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 June 2025

She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025

Robbins said that Teva has best-in-category efficacy in Phase 2 ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease treatments and has a multi-billion dollar opportunity in its biosimilars pipeline. —Pia Singh,yun Li, CNBC, 14 May 2025

Emulsifiers’ assault on the microbiome could help explain inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, metabolic disorders, and even cancer, the studies suggest. —David Hilzenrath, Miami Herald, 21 May 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