rheumatoid arthritis

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the joints, frequently accompanied by marked deformities, and ordinarily associated with manifestations of a general, or systemic, affliction.

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rheumatoid arthritis British  

noun

1. a chronic disease of the musculoskeletal system, characterized by inflammation and swelling of joints (esp joints in the hands, wrists, knees, and feet), muscle weakness, and fatigue

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rheumatoid arthritis Scientific  

/ ro̅o̅′mə-toid′ /

1. A chronic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive arthritis of several small or medium-sized joints, especially in the hands. Symptoms can include morning stiffness, joint swelling and weakness, and deformity and disability.

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Etymology

Origin of rheumatoid arthritis

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rheumatoid arthritis

Then, in the summer of 1948, one of Kendall’s colleagues asked whether Compound E might be tried on a 29-year-old patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Dr. Diana Girnita, founder and CEO of Rheumatologist OnCall, a telemedicine practice in more than 20 states, has seen patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriasis, and knee and hip osteoarthritis seek out GLP-1s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Bass said she has postponed injections for rheumatoid arthritis and an MRI scan because she didn’t have enough to pay the estimate in advance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

Doctors describe these cases as treatment-refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

It is what physicians must now do for patients with intractable cancer, severe rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and advanced cirrhosis.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas