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

Cynthia Tompkins was hospitalized in May for osteomyelitis — a bone infection — then spent six weeks in a rehabilitation facility. — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

One of the most frustrating parts, Dupire says, was that an MRI performed during his first hospital stay had already raised concerns about either osteomyelitis — a serious bone infection — or an infiltrative marrow disorder. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for osteomyelitis

• alveolitis
• bronchiolitis
• caenorhabditis
• cholecystitis
• encephalitis
• endometritis
• endophthalmitis
• folliculitis
• periostitis
• peritonitis
• polyneuritis
• thrombophlebitis

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