mastitis

noun

mas·​ti·​tis ma-ˈstī-təs 

plural mastitides ma-ˈsti-tə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the breast or udder usually caused by infection

mastitic

ma-ˈsti-tik 

adjective

Examples of mastitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Modi was a new mom in 2016, when her hopes for a seamless breastfeeding journey was upended by mastitis and a raging fever. —Gemma Allen, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

There have been a hundred times more scientific studies written about preventing mastitis in cows than in women. —Nicholas St. Fleur, STAT, 16 Aug. 2024

That test has like a 90% sensitivity for detecting what’s called subclinical mastitis. —Nicholas St. Fleur, STAT, 16 Aug. 2024

Jenna Dewan is trying a host of home remedies to clear up a case of mastitis — a common, painful infection that can be caused by breastfeeding. —Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek mastós "breast, nipple" (probably from a pre-Greek substratal language) + -itis, probably after French mastite

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mastitis

noun

mas·​ti·​tis ma-ˈstīt-əs 

plural mastitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of the mammary gland or udder usually caused by infection

called also mammitis

see blue bag, bovine mastitis, garget, summer mastitis