Meningitis is a serious infectious illness which affects your brain and spinal cord.
meningitis in British English
(ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs)
noun
inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain or spinal cord, caused by infection
Derived forms
meningitic (ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒɪtɪk)
adjective
meningitis in American English
(ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs)
noun
inflammation of the meninges, esp. as the result of infection by bacteria or viruses
Derived forms
meningitic (ˌmeninˈgitic) (ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒɪtɪk)
adjective
Word origin
ModL: see meninges & -itis
Examples of 'meningitis' in a sentence
meningitis
Not doing them could miss signs of sepsis, meningitis or pneumonia with lives being lost as a result, charities say.
The Sun (2016)
But the good news is that viral meningitis is nowhere near as serious as bacterial meningitis.
The Sun (2015)
There is a small chance of further trouble with ear infections, pneumonia and meningitis.
The Sun (2014)
While viral meningitis tends to strike more in the summer, bacterial meningitis peaks in the winter.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
No. Together they protect against two major forms of bacterial meningitis.
The Sun (2016)
One of my three-year-old daughter's nursery school friends is in hospital with bacterial meningitis.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It is less dangerous than the more potent form, bacterial meningitis, which can kill.
The Sun (2007)
The meningitis B vaccine is available.
The Sun (2016)
One of the finest loose forwards of his generation, Burger is back after spinal surgery and bacterial meningitis.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It also helped him to survive a near-fatal episode of bacterial meningitis three years ago, then make a complete recovery.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is no vaccine for meningitis group B, the most common form of bacterial meningitis.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Ministers have been accused of refusing to discuss the introduction of a lifesaving vaccine as negotiations over the promised injection for meningitis B descend into acrimony.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
When I had viral meningitis at the end of 2010 and was in hospital for more than aweek.
The Sun (2013)
Campaigners say the figures show the UK needs to introduce a meningitis vaccine like the one approved by Europe.
The Sun (2013)
Word lists with
meningitis
Human diseases
In other languages
meningitis
British English: meningitis /ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs/ NOUN
Meningitis is a serious infectious illness which affects your brain and spinal cord.