noun
Uncommon
meningitis
meh-nihn-JEYE-tihs
Meningitis (noun) means a serious illness in which the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, typically causing headache, fever, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. Example: “The child was rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis.”
noun
1
A serious illness in which the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, typically causing headache, fever, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light.
"The child was rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis."
"Vaccines have reduced the number of meningitis cases in children."
How to use meningitis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dangerous inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
Common pairings
bacterial meningitis
viral meningitis
meningitis vaccine
symptoms of meningitis
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Word forms
- Plural
- meningitides
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The child was rushed to hospital with suspected _____.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek mēninx ("membrane") plus the medical suffix -itis ("inflammation").
Rhymes for meningitis
itis
gastritis
sinusitis
hepatitis
arthritis
dermatitis
laryngitis
bronchitis
peritonitis
tonsillitis
appendicitis
encephalitis
See all rhymes for meningitis →
Frequently asked questions
What does “meningitis” mean?
The word “meningitis” means a serious illness in which the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, typically causing headache, fever, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. In plain terms, a dangerous inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
How do you pronounce “meningitis”?
“Meningitis” is pronounced meh-nihn-JEYE-tihs (/ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “meningitis” in a sentence?
Here is “meningitis” used in a sentence: “The child was rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis.”
What part of speech is “meningitis”?
“Meningitis” is a noun.
Where does the word “meningitis” come from?
The word “meningitis” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek mēninx ("membrane") plus the medical suffix -itis ("inflammation").
Is “meningitis” a common word?
“Meningitis” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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