colitis

American  

[kuh-lahy-tis, koh-] / kəˈlaɪ tɪs, koʊ- /

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of the colon.

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colitis British  

/ kɒˈlɪtɪk, kə-, kɒˈlaɪtɪs, ˌkɒləˈnaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of the colon

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colitis Scientific  

/ kə-lī′tĭs /

1. Inflammation of the colon.

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colitis Cultural  

1. An inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the colon. Colitis is characterized by pain in the abdomen, with alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea.

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Other Word Forms

• colitic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of colitis

col- ² + -itis

Example Sentences

Lucy Smith-Butler, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2017.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Abivax’s primary drug, obefazimod for ulcerative colitis, is in late-stage clinical trials and not yet approved for sale.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

In the U.S., millions of people live with colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, including colitis, which can lead to intestinal bleeding, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2025

Protagonist’s stock is up over 70% so far this year through Thursday, fueled in part by the promising trial results of its treatments for plaque psoriasis—an autoimmune disease—and the bowel disease ulcerative colitis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

Now, she definitely looks like Mr. Giancarlo of Sunnyside Eldercare during that unfortunate attack of colitis.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti