meningoencephalitis

noun

me·​nin·​go·​en·​ceph·​a·​li·​tis mə-ˌniŋ-gō-ən-ˌse-fə-ˈlī-təs 

-jō-

plural meningoencephalitides mə-ˌniŋ-gō-ən-ˌse-fə-ˈli-tə-ˌdēz 

-jō-

: inflammation of the brain and meninges

meningoencephalitic

mə-ˌniŋ-gō-ən-ˌse-fə-ˈli-tik 

-jō-

adjective

Examples of meningoencephalitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The amoeba can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), according to a previous news release from DHSS. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2025

This happens when water containing the amoeba goes up the nose to the brain, causing an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025

The unidentified adult is hospitalized in an intensive care unit and being treated for primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a deadly infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Naegleria fowleri is a type of amoeba that can cause a rare, but nearly always fatal brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for meningoencephalitis

• encephalomyelitis
• keratoconjunctivitis
• adenitis
• arteritis
• blepharitis
• cervicitis
• cholangitis
• choroiditis
• decubitus
• dermatitis
• fasciitis
• gingivitis

Medical Definition

meningoencephalitis

noun

me·​nin·​go·​en·​ceph·​a·​li·​tis -ən-ˌsef-ə-ˈlīt-əs 

plural meningoencephalitides -ˈlit-ə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the brain and meninges

called also encephalomeningitis