celiac disease

American  

[see-lee-ak di-zeez] / ˈsi liˌæk dɪˌziz /

especially British, coeliac disease

noun

Pathology.

1. a hereditary digestive disorder in which eating gluten causes an autoimmune response within the small intestine, damaging the organ and leading to symptoms such as stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, fatty stools, and malnutrition.

---

celiac disease Scientific  

/ sē′lē-ăk′ /

1. A gastrointestinal disease characterized by an inability to absorb the protein gluten, resulting in diarrhea, the passage of stools having a high fat content, and nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. Individuals with celiac disease must avoid ingesting products made from grains containing gluten, including wheat, rye, barley, and oats.

---

Etymology

Origin of celiac disease

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Fry, who has celiac disease, says she found limited options of things to eat while she waited.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

"My wife and one of my five children have celiac disease," said Rami Taha who lives in central Gaza.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2025

I have celiac disease, and I’ve had it since before being gluten-free was trendy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 15, 2025

Together with colleagues, chemist Dr Veronica Dodero from Bielefeld University was able to determine new details on how certain gluten-derived molecules trigger leaky gut syndrome in celiac disease.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2024

Then, I was diagnosed with celiac disease and had to change my diet.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 17, 2024