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

Kyle adds that the symptoms are identical to bacterial or viral meningitis symptoms. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2023

According to the company, nearly nine out of 10 adolescents are not sufficiently protected against the types of bacteria that most commonly cause meningitis. —Staff Author, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2023

Medical attention for bacterial meningitis is especially important since the infection can result in coma, seizures, or death.1 Prevention The best way to prevent bacterial meningitis is to get vaccinated. —Sarah Lemire, Health, 19 Mar. 2024

Many of the patients in the Matamoros outbreak were not evaluated and treated for a month or more after the onset of meningitis symptoms, such as chronic headache, light and sound sensitivity and fever. —Barbara Mantel, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2024

The pending lawsuit also includes the family of a second child — Ryker Brown, of DeKalb, Illinois — who developed bacterial meningitis and brain damage in 2021 caused by a cronobacter infection after consuming Similac NeoSure formula. —Jonel Aleccia, Fortune Well, 8 Dec. 2023

The bacteria is known to cause severe, and often fatal, meningitis and sepsis in newborns, according to the CDC. —Wyatte Grantham-Philips, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2023

Viral meningitis rarely causes death, however, and is a lot less serious than bacterial meningitis. —Rebecca A. Drummond, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2023

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pfizer’s new vaccine to protect against five groups of deadly bacteria that can cause meningitis and blood poisoning. —Staff Author, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing meningitis

• cerebrospinal meningitis

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 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.