osteomyelitis

noun

os·​te·​o·​my·​e·​li·​tis ˌä-stē-ō-ˌmī-ə-ˈlī-təs 

: an infectious usually painful inflammatory disease of bone often of bacterial origin that may result in the death of bone tissue

Examples of osteomyelitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Although the specific cause of the new infections could not be identified, a previous 2021 study on a small sauropod species, Ibirania parva, from the same site documented the first case of osteomyelitis caused by a blood parasite. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025

The doctors wondered if the man had osteomyelitis, an infection in the bone, which can be a complication in people with diabetic ulcers. —ArsTechnica, 3 July 2025

Although the dinosaur died from getting stuck in a mud pit, its chronic illness — identified as osteomyelitis — likely rendered its right arm completely useless and made its chances at escape more unlikely. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2025

Spread to the bones can cause osteomyelitis and to the skin can result in cellulitis. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for osteomyelitis

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

Medical Definition

osteomyelitis

noun

os·​teo·​my·​eli·​tis -ˌmī-ə-ˈlīt-əs 

plural osteomyelitides -ə-ˈlit-ə-ˌdēz 

: an infectious usually painful inflammatory disease of bone that is often of bacterial origin and may result in death of bone tissue