diverticulitis

noun

di·​ver·​tic·​u·​li·​tis ˌdī-vər-ˌti-kyə-ˈlī-təs 

: inflammation of a diverticulum

Examples of diverticulitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These findings confirm that a healthy lifestyle in older age – especially regarding diet, exercise and not smoking – can cut your chances of developing diverticulitis in half, even if you're genetically predisposed to these intestinal wall pouches. —New Atlas, 1 July 2025

Taylor suffers from chronic conditions, including diverticulitis and a history of heart disease, according to Pierre. —Dhruv Mehrotra, Wired News, 25 June 2025

The report also revealed that the president underwent a colonoscopy last July, when he was diagnosed with diverticulitis and a benign polyp, and had cataract surgery at some undetailed point in the past. —Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025

Colonic diverticulitis, according to the medical journal Cureus, is a common gastrointestinal disease. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin dīverticulītis (in German context), from dīverticulum diverticulum + -ītis -itis

First Known Use

circa 1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for diverticulitis

• epididymitis
• osteoarthritis
• periodontitis
• polymyositis
• pyelonephritis
• tenosynovitis
• adenitis
• arteritis
• blepharitis
• cervicitis
• cholangitis
• choroiditis

Medical Definition

diverticulitis

noun

di·​ver·​tic·​u·​li·​tis -ˈlīt-əs 

: inflammation or infection of a diverticulum of the colon that is marked by abdominal pain or tenderness often accompanied by fever, chills, and cramping