rheumatism

noun

rheu·​ma·​tism ˈrü-mə-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce rheumatism (audio) ˈru̇- How to pronounce rheumatism (audio)
1
: any of various conditions characterized by inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue
muscular rheumatism
2
: rheumatoid arthritis

Examples of rheumatism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Austen’s most common complaint was rheumatism, or pain in her back and knee. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025 My mother’s rheumatism was troubling her, and Betsy stayed home to keep her company. — Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026 Hepburn almost died, suffering from jaundice, anemia, rheumatism, and edema. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026 The plant can be helpful in the treatment of rheumatism, dysentery, stomach ulcers, and nausea, with the leaves having a positive influence on respiration and a capacity to cleanse the blood of toxic metabolites, notably uric acid. — Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rheumatism

Word History

Etymology

Latin rheumatismus flux, rheum, from Greek rheumatismos, from rheumatizesthai to suffer from a flux, from rheumat-, rheuma flux

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rheumatism was in 1670

Rhymes for rheumatism

See All Rhymes for rheumatism

Browse Nearby Words

rheumaticky
rheumatism
rheumatism root
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rheumatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rheumatism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rheumatism

noun
rheu·​ma·​tism ˈrü-mə-ˌtiz-əm How to pronounce rheumatism (audio)
: any of various conditions marked by stiffness, pain, or swelling in muscles or joints

Medical Definition

rheumatism

noun
rheu·​ma·​tism ˈrü-mə-ˌtiz-əm How to pronounce rheumatism (audio) ˈru̇m-ə- How to pronounce rheumatism (audio)
1
: any of various conditions characterized by inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue
muscular rheumatism
2
: rheumatoid arthritis

More from Merriam-Webster on rheumatism

Nglish: Translation of rheumatism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rheumatism

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