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.
Examples of meningitis in a Sentence
She was diagnosed with spinal meningitis.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ladapo’s department is ending mandates for shots against hepatitis B, chickenpox, and the bacteria causing meningitis and pneumonia.
—
Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Ladapo's department is ending mandates for shots against hepatitis B, chickenpox, and the bacteria causing meningitis and pneumonia.
—Arthur Allen, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
They can be used for the treatment of complex and serious conditions, including multiple types of pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, urinary system infection, respiratory infections, blood infections and skin infections.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Syphilis, meningitis, or epilepsy; cholera, apoplexy, maybe poisoning; hypoglycemia, diabetes, heart disease—even rabies, have all been proposed.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meningitis
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Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Ladapo's department is ending mandates for shots against hepatitis B, chickenpox, and the bacteria causing meningitis and pneumonia.
—Arthur Allen, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
They can be used for the treatment of complex and serious conditions, including multiple types of pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, urinary system infection, respiratory infections, blood infections and skin infections.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Syphilis, meningitis, or epilepsy; cholera, apoplexy, maybe poisoning; hypoglycemia, diabetes, heart disease—even rabies, have all been proposed.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meningitis
Cite this Entry
“Meningitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meningitis. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 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.
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