colitis

American  

[kuh-lahy-tis, koh-] / kəˈlaɪ tɪs, koʊ- /

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of the colon.

---

colitis British  

/ kɒˈlɪtɪk, kə-, kɒˈlaɪtɪs, ˌkɒləˈnaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of the colon

---

colitis Scientific  

/ kə-lī′tĭs /

1. Inflammation of the colon.

---

colitis Cultural  

1. An inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the colon. Colitis is characterized by pain in the abdomen, with alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea.

---

Other Word Forms

• colitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of colitis

col- ² + -itis

Example Sentences

Tremfya is approved in the U.S. to treat certain types of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Lucy Smith-Butler, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2017.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Abivax’s primary drug, obefazimod for ulcerative colitis, is in late-stage clinical trials and not yet approved for sale.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

The researchers then gave the microspheres orally to mice with varying levels of colitis, ranging from no disease activity to severe inflammation.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2025

Now, she definitely looks like Mr. Giancarlo of Sunnyside Eldercare during that unfortunate attack of colitis.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti