tonsillitis

noun

ton·​sil·​li·​tis ˌtän(t)-sə-ˈlī-təs 

: inflammation of the tonsils

Examples of tonsillitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This abscess is typically a complication of tonsillitis and usually forms adjacent to the tonsils. —Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 26 Apr. 2025

After suffering from tonsillitis, the star’s condition led to septic shock, a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when an infection in the body causes extremely low blood pressure and organ failure due to sepsis, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025

While many cases of tonsillitis resolve on their own, these symptoms can be quite uncomfortable in the meantime. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2024

Certain conditions, like tonsillitis and mononucleosis, or injuries may require more extensive therapy. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tonsillitis

• cellulitis
• margaritas
• caritas
• civitas
• fetus
• foetus
• meatus
• thetis
• treatise

Kids Definition

tonsillitis

noun

ton·​sil·​li·​tis ˌtän(t)-sə-ˈlīt-əs 

: inflammation of the tonsils

Medical Definition

tonsillitis

noun

ton·​sil·​li·​tis ˌtän(t)-sə-ˈlīt-əs 

: inflammation of the tonsils and especially the palatine tonsils typically due to viral or bacterial infection and marked by red enlarged tonsils usually with sore throat, fever, difficult swallowing, hoarseness or loss of voice, and tender or swollen lymph nodes