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appendicitis

noun

ap·​pen·​di·​ci·​tis ə-ˌpen-də-ˈsī-təs How to pronounce appendicitis (audio)
: inflammation of the vermiform appendix

Examples of appendicitis 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.
And little kids in his neighborhood died of things like appendicitis and influenza. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025 What initially presented as a mild sickness soon worsened; he was diagnosed with pneumonia and appendicitis. Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025 Looking back, the chain of events — the appendicitis, the podcast connection, the impossible appointment, the miraculous cancellation — feels almost too extraordinary to be a coincidence. MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Pregnant people suffer from kidney stones, appendicitis or dental cavities that require root canal, just like people who are not pregnant. Tami S. Rowen, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appendicitis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin appendic-, appendix "vermiform appendix" + -itis

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of appendicitis was in 1886

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Appendicitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appendicitis. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

appendicitis

noun
ap·​pen·​di·​ci·​tis ə-ˌpen-də-ˈsīt-əs How to pronounce appendicitis (audio)
: inflammation of the appendix

Medical Definition

appendicitis

noun
ap·​pen·​di·​ci·​tis ə-ˌpen-də-ˈsīt-əs How to pronounce appendicitis (audio)
: inflammation of the vermiform appendix

called also epityphlitis

More from Merriam-Webster on appendicitis

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