meningitis

noun

men·​in·​gi·​tis ˌme-nən-ˈjī-təs 

plural meningitides ˌme-nən-ˈji-tə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the meninges and especially of the pia mater and arachnoid

specifically : a disease marked by inflammation of the meninges that is either a relatively mild illness caused by a virus (such as various Coxsackieviruses) or a more severe usually life-threatening illness caused by a bacterium (especially the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitides, or the serotype designated B of Haemophilus influenzae)

Note: Meningitis is often marked by fever, headache, vomiting, malaise, and stiff neck, and if left untreated in bacterial forms, may progress to confusion, stupor, convulsions, coma, and death.

meningitic

ˌme-nən-ˈji-tik 

adjective

Examples of meningitis in a Sentence

She was diagnosed with spinal meningitis.

Recent Examples on the Web

The inflammation from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck. —Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

But 4 of the childhood vaccines — against meningitis, chickenpox and hepatitis B — are regulated by the state department of health. —Kerry Sheridan, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026

Without treatment, meningitis can be life-threatening and lead to seizures, hearing or vision loss, fluid buildup in the brain, sepsis and more. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026

Stewart said that by the time he was properly diagnosed, the meningitis had spread to his brain and his spine. —Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing meningitis

• cerebrospinal meningitis

Rhymes for meningitis

• adenitis
• arteritis
• blepharitis
• cervicitis
• cholangitis
• choroiditis
• decubitus
• dermatitis
• fasciitis
• gingivitis
• hepatitis
• iritis

Kids Definition

meningitis

noun

men·​in·​gi·​tis ˌmen-ən-ˈjīt-əs 

: a disease in which a membrane of the brain or spinal cord becomes inflamed

Medical Definition

meningitis

noun

men·​in·​gi·​tis ˌmen-ən-ˈjīt-əs 

plural meningitides -ˈjit-ə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the meninges and especially of the pia mater and the arachnoid

specifically : a disease marked by inflammation of the meninges that is either a relatively mild illness caused by a virus (such as various Coxsackieviruses) or a more severe usually life-threatening illness caused by a bacterium (especially the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, or the serotype designated B of Haemophilus influenzae)

Note: Meningitis is often marked by fever, headache, vomiting, malaise, and stiff neck, and if left untreated in bacterial forms, may progress to confusion, stupor, convulsions, coma, and death.