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

Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, told TMZ at the time that the cause of her death was meningitis and an infection in her blood. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 15 July 2026

In initial reports, her father, John David Schwallier, and her boyfriend said the actor died of complications from bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

In severe cases, the virus can affect the nervous system and lead to meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis or death. — City News Service, Daily News, 13 July 2026

In rare instances, the disease can affect the central nervous system, causing encephalitis or meningitis that may require hospitalization and can result in death. — Reeti Malhotra july 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 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.