hepatitis

noun

hep·​a·​ti·​tis ˌhe-pə-ˈtī-təs How to pronounce hepatitis (audio)
plural hepatitides ˌhe-pə-ˈti-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce hepatitis (audio) also hepatitises ˌhe-pə-ˈtī-tə-səz How to pronounce hepatitis (audio)
1
: inflammation of the liver
2
: a disease or condition (such as hepatitis A or hepatitis B) marked by inflammation of the liver

Did you know?

The liver, the body's largest gland, performs many important tasks, but is also vulnerable to many illnesses. At least five types of hepatitis, labeled with the letters A–E, are caused by viruses. The most common are hepatitis A, acquired through contaminated food and water; hepatitis B, which usually travels via sexual activity or shared needles; and hepatitis C, generally passed through shared needles. Some other types, including alcoholic hepatitis (caused by drinking too much alcohol), aren't infectious. There are vaccines for types A and B, and drug treatments for A, B, and C, though the drugs aren't always effective.

Examples of hepatitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For the 2023 fiscal year, that was nearly $1.3 billion to prevent and control HIV, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and infectious disease. Jen Christensen, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025 Affected offices include the CDC division for preventing HIV, viral hepatitis, STIs and tuberculosis, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Victoria Knight, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spent about $1.3 billion in 2023 on the prevention of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STIs, according to the Journal. Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 20 Mar. 2025 People who get measles may also benefit from immunization or re-immunization against common viruses, as well as booster shots of routine vaccines, such as hepatitis and polio. Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hepatitis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hepatitis was circa 1751

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Cite this Entry

“Hepatitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hepatitis. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

hepatitis

noun
hep·​a·​ti·​tis ˌhep-ə-ˈtīt-əs How to pronounce hepatitis (audio)
plural hepatitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce hepatitis (audio) also hepatitises
-ˈtīt-ə-səz
: inflammation of the liver
also : any of several virus diseases marked especially by inflammation of the liver

Medical Definition

hepatitis

noun
hep·​a·​ti·​tis ˌhep-ə-ˈtīt-əs How to pronounce hepatitis (audio)
plural hepatitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce hepatitis (audio) also hepatitises
-ˈtīt-ə-səz
1
: inflammation of the liver
2
: a disease or condition (as hepatitis A or hepatitis B) marked by inflammation of the liver
hepatitic adjective

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