endometriosis

noun

en·​do·​me·​tri·​osis ˌen-dō-ˌmē-trē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce endometriosis (audio)
: the presence and growth of tissue similar to endometrium in places other than the uterus and especially in the pelvis and abdomen that often results in severe pain and infertility
Endometriosis is not malignant, but it mimics cancer in the way it spreads and attaches itself to other organs—most commonly the ovary, bladder, and bowel.Consumer Reports
Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of female infertility and causes great pain and life disruption.Paul G. Donohue

Examples of endometriosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Continuous use may be especially helpful for people who have painful periods, heavy periods, endometriosis, migraines, iron-deficiency anemia, physical or intellectual disabilities, and transgender individuals. Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 21 May 2025 These tests could help providers diagnose endometriosis sooner and more accurately, reducing the need for surgery. Laura Young, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2025 Even so, Knight’s not yet sure whether the endometriosis is to blame for her hospitalization. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 May 2025 One saving grace in both validating her pain and confirming Roderick Joel’s endometriosis diagnosis was Dr. Tamer Seckin, a renowned endometriosis specialist, the research center’s namesake and the Endometriosis Foundation’s co-founder. Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for endometriosis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of endometriosis was in 1925

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Cite this Entry

“Endometriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endometriosis. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

endometriosis

noun
en·​do·​me·​tri·​osis ˌen-dō-ˌmē-trē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce endometriosis (audio)
plural endometrioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce endometriosis (audio)
: the presence and growth of tissue similar to endometrium in places other than the uterus and especially in the pelvis and abdomen and that often results in severe pain and infertility
The primary symptoms of endometriosis are pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, backache, dyschezia, dysuria, and infertility.G. David Adamson, The Journal of the American Medical Association
About 40 percent of infertile women suffer from endometriosis.Gigi Martino, Science News
see adenomyosis
endometriotic adjective
an endometriotic cyst
endometriotic tissue

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