encephalitis
noun
en·ceph·a·li·tis
in-ˌse-fə-ˈlī-təs 
plural encephalitides
in-ˌse-fə-ˈli-tə-ˌdēz
: inflammation of the brain that is caused especially by infection with a virus (such as herpes simplex or West Nile virus) or less commonly by bacterial or fungal infection or autoimmune reaction
Note: Encephalitis may be asymptomatic or present with mild to severe symptoms (such as fever, headache, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness) sometimes progressing to coma or death.
Examples of encephalitis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Measles can also cause encephalitis, a faster-occurring brain inflammation, in one in every 1,000 people who are infected because the virus causes the immune system to attack a protein produced by certain brain cells.
—
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2025
Pneumonia occurs in 1 in 20, encephalitis (brain swelling) in 1/1000, and deaths in 1-3/1000.
—Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Some patients experience long-lasting fatigue and weakness, and the most severe cases involve encephalitis or meningitis.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
The injuries include anaphylaxis and encephalitis.
—Stephanie Armour, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encephalitis
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Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2025
Pneumonia occurs in 1 in 20, encephalitis (brain swelling) in 1/1000, and deaths in 1-3/1000.
—Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Some patients experience long-lasting fatigue and weakness, and the most severe cases involve encephalitis or meningitis.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
The injuries include anaphylaxis and encephalitis.
—Stephanie Armour, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encephalitis
Cite this Entry
“Encephalitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encephalitis. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
encephalitis
noun
en·ceph·a·li·tis
in-ˌsef-ə-ˈlīt-əs
(ˌ)en-
: inflammation of the brain
also
: a disease marked by encephalitis
Medical Definition
encephalitis
noun
en·ceph·a·li·tis
in-ˌsef-ə-ˈlīt-əs
plural encephalitides
-ˈlit-ə-ˌdēz
: inflammation of the brain that is caused especially by infection with a virus (such as herpes simplex, varicella zoster, or West Nile virus) or less commonly by bacterial or fungal infection or autoimmune reaction
Note: Encephalitis may be asymptomatic or present with mild to severe symptoms (such as fever, headache, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness) sometimes progressing to coma or death.
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