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

Tremfya treats plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

Ernest’s colitis recurred in 1956, a flare-up he attributed largely to stress over the unresolved fate of Chromatic.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik