Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

mastitis

American  
[ma-stahy-tis] / mæˈstaɪ tɪs /

noun

  1. Pathology. inflammation of the breast.

  2. Veterinary Pathology. inflammation of the udder, especially of cows; garget.


mastitis British  
/ mæˈstaɪtɪs /

noun

  1. inflammation of a breast or an udder

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • mastitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of mastitis

First recorded in 1835–45; mast- + -itis

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In detention, Flores said, she began to suffer a painful swelling, which she believed could have been mastitis brought on by her inability to nurse her baby.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

She suffered from pre-eclampsia and had to have labor induced, then experienced a difficult delivery and developed mastitis afterward.

From New York Times • Jan. 16, 2024

She’s also working with dairy veterinarians to better understand mastitis, a common but painful inflammation of breast tissue, to come up with improved treatments and design a better breast pump for women.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2022

A referral to the breast clinic also diagnosed mastitis and the IT consultant was told a scan was not possible as she was breastfeeding.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2022

The cow has infectious mastitis due to introduction of some infection.

From One Thousand Questions in California Agriculture Answered by Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James)