meningitis

noun

men·​in·​gi·​tis ˌme-nən-ˈjī-təs 

plural meningitides ˌme-nən-ˈji-tə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the meninges and especially of the pia mater and arachnoid

specifically : a disease marked by inflammation of the meninges that is either a relatively mild illness caused by a virus (such as various Coxsackieviruses) or a more severe usually life-threatening illness caused by a bacterium (especially the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitides, or the serotype designated B of Haemophilus influenzae)

Note: Meningitis is often marked by fever, headache, vomiting, malaise, and stiff neck, and if left untreated in bacterial forms, may progress to confusion, stupor, convulsions, coma, and death.

meningitic

ˌme-nən-ˈji-tik 

adjective

Examples of meningitis in a Sentence

She was diagnosed with spinal meningitis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Before the introduction of the childhood vaccine against pneumococcal bacteria in 2000, pneumococcal disease caused about 17,000 invasive infections annually in American children under age 5, including about 700 cases of meningitis and 200 deaths. — Katrine L. Wallace, Sun Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026

When meningitis is suspected, Joshua said doctors can use blood tests, brain imaging and a lumbar puncture to determine whether the infection is bacterial, viral or caused by something else. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

The vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal infections, such as pneumonia and meningitis. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

In the early 1980s, there were 20,000 invasive Hib infections among American children under 5 years old, 12,000 of which were meningitis. — Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing meningitis

• cerebrospinal meningitis

Rhymes for meningitis

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

Kids Definition

meningitis

noun

men·​in·​gi·​tis ˌmen-ən-ˈjīt-əs 

: a disease in which a membrane of the brain or spinal cord becomes inflamed

Medical Definition

meningitis

noun

men·​in·​gi·​tis ˌmen-ən-ˈjīt-əs 

plural meningitides -ˈjit-ə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the meninges and especially of the pia mater and the arachnoid

specifically : a disease marked by inflammation of the meninges that is either a relatively mild illness caused by a virus (such as various Coxsackieviruses) or a more severe usually life-threatening illness caused by a bacterium (especially the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, or the serotype designated B of Haemophilus influenzae)

Note: Meningitis is often marked by fever, headache, vomiting, malaise, and stiff neck, and if left untreated in bacterial forms, may progress to confusion, stupor, convulsions, coma, and death.