colitis

American  

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

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of the colon.

---

colitis British  

/ kɒˈlɪtɪk, kə-, kɒˈlaɪtɪs, ˌkɒləˈnaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of the colon

---

colitis Scientific  

/ kə-lī′tĭs /

1. Inflammation of the colon.

---

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.

---

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

After passing through mouse models with colitis, the sensors detected gastrointestinal bleeding within minutes.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2025

J&J is already working with Protagonist to develop an oral treatment for immune diseases including plaque psoriasis and ulcerative colitis and has the exclusive rights to commercialize the product.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

The word of his death at sea provoked a colitis attack that kept Ernest bedridden for four days, until he roused himself and hobbled, ashen, into an East Bay church for Mills’s memorial service.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik