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

Doctors are encouraged to consider family history of atherosclerosis, underlying conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, and life events like early menopause or pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, when evaluating risk and planning treatment.

From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026

Researchers compared these patients with people of similar age and sex who were diagnosed with other long-term conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, and osteoporosis.

From Science Daily • Feb. 11, 2026

Lilly confirmed earlier this month that it had halted the development of a drug candidate for B cell-driven diseases, which had been in mid-stage studies for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Ventyx specializes in one of the hottest spaces in drug development, developing pills to treat diseases like Crohn’s and rheumatoid arthritis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

The survival mechanism has become the enemy, as in such illnesses as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis that can attack organs, joints, even the brain.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel