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

If the spit is tied to an infectious disease — such as hepatitis, TB, or COVID-19 — it can be considered a greater threat and result in harsher penalties. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025

The World Health Organization estimates that one of three people worldwide has been infected by acute hepatitis B. —Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025

The group is scheduled to meet next month to review vaccinations for measles, hepatitis and other conditions that have long been established on the government schedule for children. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025

Though some water comes from small desalination units run by aid agencies, most is drawn from wells in a brackish aquifer that has been further polluted by sewage and chemicals seeping through the rubble, spreading diarrhoea and hepatitis. —USA Today, 6 Aug. 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