hepatitis

noun

hep·​a·​ti·​tis ˌhe-pə-ˈtī-təs 

plural hepatitides ˌhe-pə-ˈti-tə-ˌdēz  also hepatitises ˌhe-pə-ˈtī-tə-səz 

1

: inflammation of the liver

2

: a disease or condition (such as hepatitis A or hepatitis B) marked by inflammation of the liver

Did you know?

The liver, the body's largest gland, performs many important tasks, but is also vulnerable to many illnesses. At least five types of hepatitis, labeled with the letters A–E, are caused by viruses. The most common are hepatitis A, acquired through contaminated food and water; hepatitis B, which usually travels via sexual activity or shared needles; and hepatitis C, generally passed through shared needles. Some other types, including alcoholic hepatitis (caused by drinking too much alcohol), aren't infectious. There are vaccines for types A and B, and drug treatments for A, B, and C, though the drugs aren't always effective.

Examples of hepatitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Liver damage, including hepatitis, is one of the most serious side effects of turmeric. —Health, 15 Dec. 2025

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports that about 90% of infants infected at birth develop chronic hepatitis B infection, with 1 in 4 of these children dying prematurely from liver disease. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 14 Dec. 2025

A matter of trust The CDC's new hepatitis B policy rests on the premise that moving the decision to parents will strengthen trust in the vaccine system. —Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025

Infants are far more likely than older children and adults to develop chronic hepatitis B if they are infected. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hepatitis

• delta hepatitis
• hepatitis A
• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• hepatitis D
• hepatitis delta virus
• hepatitis D virus
• hepatitis E
• infectious hepatitis
• non-A, non-B hepatitis
• serum hepatitis

Rhymes for hepatitis

• adenitis
• arteritis
• blepharitis
• cervicitis
• cholangitis
• choroiditis
• decubitus
• dermatitis
• fasciitis
• gingivitis
• iritis
• keratitis

Kids Definition

hepatitis

noun

hep·​a·​ti·​tis ˌhep-ə-ˈtīt-əs 

plural hepatitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz  also hepatitises

-ˈtīt-ə-səz

: inflammation of the liver

also : any of several virus diseases marked especially by inflammation of the liver

Medical Definition

hepatitis

noun

hep·​a·​ti·​tis ˌhep-ə-ˈtīt-əs 

plural hepatitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz  also hepatitises

-ˈtīt-ə-səz

1

: inflammation of the liver

2

: a disease or condition (as hepatitis A or hepatitis B) marked by inflammation of the liver

hepatitic

-ˈtit-ik 

adjective