bronchiolitis

noun

bron·​chi·​ol·​i·​tis ˌbräŋ-kē-ō-ˈlī-təs 

: inflammation of the bronchioles

Examples of bronchiolitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a 5-month-old, he was hospitalized in an intensive care unit with bronchiolitis in 2018. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Possible complications can include croup, pneumonia, asthma attacks, middle ear infections, bronchiolitis and fever, the CDC said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026

But babies, people with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic lung conditions are more likely to get seriously sick, developing illnesses like bronchiolitis or pneumonia. — Evan Moore november 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025

This condition, called bronchiolitis, can cause wheezing and is most dangerous in the first months of life, when newborns’ airways are extremely narrow. — Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from bronchiolum bronchiole + -itis -itis

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bronchiolitis

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

Medical Definition

bronchiolitis

noun

bron·​chi·​ol·​itis -ō-ˈlīt-əs 

: inflammation of the bronchioles