meningitis

American  

[men-in-jahy-tis] / ˌmɛn ɪnˈdʒaɪ tɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of the meninges, especially of the pia mater and arachnoid, caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by high fever, severe headache, and stiff neck or back muscles.

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meningitis British  

/ ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒɪtɪk, ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain or spinal cord, caused by infection

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meningitis Scientific  

/ mĕn′ĭn-jī′tĭs /

1. Inflammation of the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord, usually resulting from a bacterial or viral infection and often characterized by fever, vomiting, an intense headache, and a stiff neck.

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meningitis Cultural  

1. Inflammation of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord, most often resulting from a bacterial or viral infection.

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Other Word Forms

• meningitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of meningitis

From New Latin, dating back to 1820–30; see origin at meninges, -itis

Explanation

Meningitis is an illness that causes the area around the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. The symptoms of meningitis include fever and headache, along with neck stiffness. Meningitis is often serious because of how close the inflammation is to a patient's brain. The most common type of meningitis is caused by a virus, and others are caused by bacteria — several types can be prevented with immunizations. The word meningitis means "inflammation of the meninges," or the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, from a Greek root meaning "membrane."

Example Sentences

Three young people have contracted meningitis in a Dorset town in recent weeks, health bosses have said.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Almost 12,000 people who were given meningitis B vaccinations following an outbreak last month in Kent will be offered a second dose from next week.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

"Our health advice to students makes it clear that they need to seek medical help immediately if they show any symptoms of meningitis, even if they have had a vaccination," they added.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Moving around the country and socialising with new people exposes us to different strains of meningococcal bacteria for the first time and in turn the risk of meningitis.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

“Why not, let’s say, acute nephritis ?” “Because I’m a meningitis man, that’s why, and not an acute- nephritis man,” retorted the colonel.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller