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

During the period before rheumatoid arthritis developed, participants treated with abatacept reported improvements in symptoms such as joint pain and fatigue, along with better overall well-being.

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

In the small pilot study, researchers tested whether tocilizumab, a drug commonly prescribed for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, could ease depression symptoms in patients who had not improved with standard antidepressants.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2026

The research was a translational clinical biomarker study that examined paired blood and joint fluid samples from patients with inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

Researchers are testing the drug’s efficacy in patients with difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis, also known as D2T RA; the treatment is delivered as a subcutaneous injection once a week.

From Barron's • May 20, 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