meningitis

[ men-in-jahy-tis ]

/ ˌmɛn ɪnˈdʒaɪ tɪs /

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noun Pathology.

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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of meningitis

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

OTHER WORDS FROM meningitis

men·in·git·ic

[men-in-jit-ik], /ˌmɛn ɪnˈdʒɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby meningitis

Ménière's syndrome, menilite, Meninga, meninges, meningioma, meningitis, meningo-, meningocele, meningococcall, meningococcus, Menippe

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use meningitis in a sentence

In the meningitis example I gave, the disease was so apparent to people that they really wanted to get vaccinated.
Here’s the Right Story for Vaccine Holdouts - Issue 103: Healthy Communication|Stuart Firestein|July 14, 2021|Nautilus
During the day-long meeting, however, the members discussed whether to allow vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech shot along with other vaccinations teens may need to get, including against HPV, hepatitis and meningitis.
Teens Ages 12 to 15 Should Get Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 Vaccine, Says a CDC Expert Panel|Alice Park|May 13, 2021|Time
As for Carlson’s broader case that deaths after coronavirus vaccinations far exceed deaths after other vaccines — he specifically mentioned the vaccine for bacterial meningitis — again, this is apples to oranges.
Tucker Carlson’s worst vaccine segment yet|Aaron Blake|May 6, 2021|Washington Post
Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in 1880, Helen Keller thrived as a healthy infant for 19 months, until she fell ill with what was probably meningitis.
Five Scientists on the Heroes Who Changed Their Lives - Issue 93: Forerunners|Alan Lightman, Hope Jahren, Robert Sapolsky,|December 2, 2020|Nautilus

Each got either the new coronavirus vaccine or a vaccine against bacteria that can cause meningitis.
New COVID-19 vaccines show promise in people|Tina Hesman Saey|July 24, 2020|Science News For Students
Nancy was born with meningitis, septicemia, and hydrocephalus.
U.K. Courts Grant Mother Right to End Her 12-Year-Old Disabled Daughter’s Life|Elizabeth Picciuto|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After their split, Jim Friel died shockingly at age 48 of bacterial meningitis.
Can This SVU Crime Fighter Save the NFL?|Lloyd Grove|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Several years before Lou contracted ALS, Bruce Campbell, a Cleveland outfielder, came down with spinal meningitis.
The Stacks: The Day Lou Gehrig Delivered Baseball’s Gettysburg Address|Ray Robinson|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rarely, severe infections can lead to inflammation of the brain or meningitis.
Thanks to Anti-Vaxxers, Mumps Are Back. What’s Next?|Russell Saunders|March 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One is meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain, that is fatal in about 10 percent of cases.
Princeton Considers Vaccinations for Slow-Moving Meningitis Outbreak|Kent Sepkowitz|November 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Examination of the fluid obtained by lumbar puncture is of value in diagnosis of certain forms of meningitis.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Tubercle bacilli can be found in the majority of cases of tuberculous meningitis.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Various organisms have been found in other forms of meningitis—the pneumococcus most frequently.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis is a very fatal disease at times in America.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley
Headaches may be occasioned by disorders of the brain and spinal column, such as meningitis.
The Mother and Her Child|William S. Sadler

British Dictionary definitions for meningitis

meningitis

/ (ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs) /

noun

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

Derived forms of meningitis

meningitic (ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒɪtɪk), adjective

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

Scientific definitions for meningitis

meningitis

[ mĕn′ĭn-jī′tĭs ]

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.

Cultural definitions for meningitis

meningitis

[ (men-in-jeye-tis) ]

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