otitis media

noun

otitis me·​dia -ˈmē-dē-ə How to pronounce otitis media (audio)
: inflammation of the middle ear marked especially by pain, fever, dizziness, and abnormalities in hearing
especially : acute otitis media

Examples of otitis media 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.
The more microorganisms and moisture in your ear, the greater the risk for an infection, research suggests, including otitis media (an infection in the middle ear behind the eardrum) or otitis externa (an infection in the outer ear canal). Julia Ries, SELF, 27 July 2023 Upper respiratory viral infections or bacterial infections from the sinuses can also cause middle ear infections, called otitis media, according to Stewart. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2022 The reason for this is that most cases of otitis media get better on their own as the body’s immune system fights off the infection, which is usually caused by an upper respiratory virus. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2021 In adults, these complications are lower respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and in children, otitis media or middle ear infections. Arnold Monto, Philly.com, 24 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of otitis media was in 1772

Dictionary Entries Near otitis media

Cite this Entry

“Otitis media.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/otitis%20media. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

otitis media

noun
otitis me·​dia -ˈmēd-ē-ə How to pronounce otitis media (audio)
: inflammation of the middle ear marked by pain, fever, dizziness, and abnormalities of hearing

More from Merriam-Webster on otitis media

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!