meningoencephalitis

noun

me·​nin·​go·​en·​ceph·​a·​li·​tis mə-ˌniŋ-gō-ən-ˌse-fə-ˈlī-təs 

-jō-

plural meningoencephalitides mə-ˌniŋ-gō-ən-ˌse-fə-ˈli-tə-ˌdēz 

-jō-

: inflammation of the brain and meninges

meningoencephalitic

mə-ˌniŋ-gō-ən-ˌse-fə-ˈli-tik 

-jō-

adjective

Examples of meningoencephalitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One infant went on to experience symptoms suggestive of acute measles meningoencephalitis and was hospitalized weeks later, outside the timeframe of the study. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026

The scope of the problem According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 10 people in the U.S. die each year from primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, the infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. —Drew Pittock, USA Today, 11 May 2026

The amoeba can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), according to a previous news release from DHSS. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2025

This happens when water containing the amoeba goes up the nose to the brain, causing an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for meningoencephalitis

• dermatomyositis
• glomerulonephritis
• osteomyelitis
• poliomyelitis
• adenitis
• arteritis
• cervicitis
• cholangitis
• choroiditis
• decubitus
• dermatitis
• fasciitis

Medical Definition

meningoencephalitis

noun

me·​nin·​go·​en·​ceph·​a·​li·​tis -ən-ˌsef-ə-ˈlīt-əs 

plural meningoencephalitides -ˈlit-ə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the brain and meninges

called also encephalomeningitis