meningitis

American  

[men-in-jahy-tis] / ˌmɛn ɪnˈdʒaɪ tɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of the meninges, especially of the pia mater and arachnoid, caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by high fever, severe headache, and stiff neck or back muscles.

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meningitis British  

/ ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒɪtɪk, ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain or spinal cord, caused by infection

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meningitis Scientific  

/ mĕn′ĭn-jī′tĭs /

1. Inflammation of the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord, usually resulting from a bacterial or viral infection and often characterized by fever, vomiting, an intense headache, and a stiff neck.

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meningitis Cultural  

1. Inflammation of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord, most often resulting from a bacterial or viral infection.

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Other Word Forms

• meningitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of meningitis

From New Latin, dating back to 1820–30; meninges, -itis

Explanation

Meningitis is an illness that causes the area around the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. The symptoms of meningitis include fever and headache, along with neck stiffness. Meningitis is often serious because of how close the inflammation is to a patient's brain. The most common type of meningitis is caused by a virus, and others are caused by bacteria — several types can be prevented with immunizations. The word meningitis means "inflammation of the meninges," or the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, from a Greek root meaning "membrane."

Example Sentences

Meg had been vaccinated against meningitis strains A, C, W and Y when she was 14 through the NHS vaccination schedule but not MenB, as this is only offered to young children born after 2015.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

In the weeks after Meg died from MenB, the University of Bournemouth's on-campus GP held three meningitis vaccination clinics.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The meningitis outbreak in Kent has seen 20 confirmed cases.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Although the city has been at the centre of a fatal meningitis outbreak, no changes to planned events were deemed necessary.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

“Then why pick meningitis ?” inquired a major with a suave chuckle.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller