cirrhosis

play

noun cir·rho·sis \ sə-ˈrō-səs \

Definition of cirrhosis

plural cirrhoses play \-ˌsēz\

:widespread disruption of normal liver structure by fibrosis and the formation of regenerative nodules that is caused by any of various chronic progressive conditions affecting the liver (such as long-term alcohol abuse or hepatitis)

—

cirrhotic

play \-ˈrä-tik\ adjective or noun

See cirrhosis defined for English-language learners

See cirrhosis defined for kids

Recent Examples of cirrhosis from the Web

Leo Dowthard IV, 39, of Kansas City is charged with endangering the health of the unnamed guard because Dowthard was diagnosed with hepatitis C, a chronic disease that can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.

— mike hendricks, kansascity, "Jackson County inmate endangered guard with disease-tainted urine, prosecutor says," 10 Aug. 2017
Then in 2015, the beginning of the end: Jim Flesner was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver.

— fred dickey, sandiegouniontribune.com, "'You come into this world taking your first breath, and ...'," 28 July 2017
The contagious liver disease can cause liver cancer or cirrhosis, and is spread by contact with an infected person’s blood.

— for kentuckyone health, The Courier-Journal, "FREE Hep C screenings throughout Louisville on July 28," 25 July 2017
The easy one, at least in theory, is hepatitis C, a liver-damaging virus frequently contracted by injection-drug users that can cause cirrhosis and cancer.

— carolyn y. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "High drug prices leave Louisiana considering asking for federal intervention," 3 July 2017
The easy one, at least in theory, is hepatitis C, a liver-damaging virus frequently contracted by injection-drug users that can cause cirrhosis and cancer.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Louisiana considers radical step to counter high drug prices: Federal intervention," 3 July 2017
Ellis died in 2008 of cirrhosis of the liver, but his legacy lives on, regardless of whether or not the acid no-hitter was a flight of fancy or a real, lunatic day.

— jon tayler, SI.com, "Today is the 47th anniversary of Dock Ellis' acid-fueled no-hitter," 12 June 2017
Risk factors for the condition include cirrhosis, stomach ulcers and pancreatitis.

— luke hammill, chicagotribune.com, "Lake County Jail inmate died of abdominal infection in 2016, records show," 19 May 2017
Hepatitis C attacks the liver and, if left untreated, can cause cancer or cirrhosis of the liver.

— terry demio, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati, Hamilton County could sustain, expand needle exchange," 11 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cirrhosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cirrhosis

New Latin, from Greek kirrhos orange-colored; akin to Old English hār gray — more at hoar

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1847

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

CIRRHOSIS Defined for English Language Learners

cirrhosis

play

noun

Definition of cirrhosis for English Language Learners

medical : a serious disease of the liver that can be caused by drinking too much alcohol

Medical Dictionary

cirrhosis

play

noun cir·rho·sis \ sə-ˈrō-səs \

medical Definition of cirrhosis

plural cirrhoses play \-ˌsēz\

Learn More about cirrhosis

See words that rhyme with cirrhosis Spanish Central: Translation of cirrhosis Nglish: Translation of cirrhosis for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cirrhosis for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cirrhosis

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up cirrhosis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

cirrhosis

Definition of cirrhosis

cirrhotic

Recent Examples of cirrhosis from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cirrhosis

Other Medicine Terms

CIRRHOSIS Defined for English Language Learners

cirrhosis

Definition of cirrhosis for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

cirrhosis

medical Definition of cirrhosis

Learn More about cirrhosis

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

broadside

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

10 Uncommon Words for 'Drunkard'

'Meat Sweats': The Cookout's Worst Nightmare

'Diffuse' vs. 'Defuse'

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

10 Uncommon Words for 'Drunkard'

'Meat Sweats': The Cookout's Worst Nightmare

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

cirrhosis

Definition of cirrhosis

cirrhotic

From the M-W Editors

Recent Examples of cirrhosis from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cirrhosis

Other Medicine Terms

CIRRHOSIS Defined for English Language Learners

cirrhosis

Definition of cirrhosis for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

cirrhosis

medical Definition of cirrhosis

Learn More about cirrhosis

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

10 Uncommon Words for 'Drunkard'

'Meat Sweats': The Cookout's Worst Nightmare

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066