bronchiolitis

noun

bron·​chi·​ol·​i·​tis ˌbräŋ-kē-ō-ˈlī-təs 

: inflammation of the bronchioles

Examples of bronchiolitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But babies, people with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic lung conditions are more likely to get seriously sick, developing illnesses like bronchiolitis or pneumonia. —Evan Moore november 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025

This condition, called bronchiolitis, can cause wheezing and is most dangerous in the first months of life, when newborns’ airways are extremely narrow. —Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025

The virus can also cause complications like bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma or an ear infection, according to the Cleveland Clinic. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025

These patients can develop serious complications such as pneumonia, or infection of the lung; as well as bronchiolitis, or inflammation of the airways. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from bronchiolum bronchiole + -itis -itis

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bronchiolitis

• alveolitis
• caenorhabditis
• cholecystitis
• conjunctivitis
• encephalitis
• endometritis
• endophthalmitis
• esophagitis
• folliculitis
• myocarditis
• periostitis
• peritonitis

Medical Definition

bronchiolitis

noun

bron·​chi·​ol·​itis -ō-ˈlīt-əs 

: inflammation of the bronchioles