diabetes mellitus

noun

diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈme-lə-təs 

: a variable disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors and usually characterized by inadequate secretion or utilization of insulin, by excessive urine production, by excessive amounts of sugar in the blood and urine, and by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight compare type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes

Examples of diabetes mellitus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes mellitus — a group of diseases associated with high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026

Following a review of laboratory test results, it was determined that Trachtenberg died naturally as a result of complications from diabetes mellitus, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner told Deadline in a statement. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026

In April, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed in a statement to Entertainment Weekly that her cause of death was complications from diabetes mellitus. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026

Two months after Trachtenberg's death, New York City's Office of Chief Medical Examiner revealed the actress died due to complications of diabetes mellitus, a disease characterized by inadequate control of glucose levels in a person's blood. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 24 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin diabētēs mellītus, literally, "honey-sweet diabetes," referring to the smell and taste of sugar in the urine

Note: See note at diabetes insipidus.

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

diabetes mellitus

noun

diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈmel-ət-əs 

: an abnormal bodily condition in which less than the normal amount of insulin is produced, greater than normal amounts of urine are produced, and large amounts of sugar are contained in the blood and urine and which is marked especially by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight

Medical Definition

diabetes mellitus

noun

diabetes mel·​li·​tus -ˈmel-ət-əs 

: a variable disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors and usually characterized by inadequate secretion or utilization of insulin, by excessive urine production, by excessive amounts of sugar in the blood and urine, and by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight see type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes