mastitis

noun

mas·​ti·​tis ma-ˈstī-təs 

plural mastitides ma-ˈsti-tə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the breast or udder usually caused by infection

mastitic

ma-ˈsti-tik 

adjective

Examples of mastitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

She's done that in the past with her home remedy for mastitis, an often painful inflammation of the breast tissue that is common in breastfeeding. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025

For the next phase of research, Ramanan’s lab proposed further exploration of mastitis, a common infection during breastfeeding. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025

And the initial presentation of granulomatous mastitis may appear to be a breast cancer. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025

Common issues include challenges with the baby latching onto your nipple, sore nipples, low milk supply, thrush, plugged milk ducts, inflammation of the breast (mastitis), and inverted nipples. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek mastós "breast, nipple" (probably from a pre-Greek substratal language) + -itis, probably after French mastite

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mastitis

• arthritis
• bronchitis
• bursitis
• detritus
• gastritis
• glossitis
• metritis
• nephritis
• neuritis
• orchitis
• osteitis
• otitis

Medical Definition

mastitis

noun

mas·​ti·​tis ma-ˈstīt-əs 

plural mastitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the mammary gland or udder usually caused by infection

called also mammitis

see blue bag, bovine mastitis, garget, summer mastitis