conjunctivitis

noun

con·​junc·​ti·​vi·​tis kən-ˌjəŋ(k)-ti-ˈvī-təs 

: inflammation of the conjunctiva

Examples of conjunctivitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The main complaint was a common eye inflammation called conjunctivitis, caused by workers not wearing adequate eye protection while working with infected cattle. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024

Swimming through green muck could create an itchy rash or cause conjunctivitis (a.k.a. pink eye). —Julia Ries, Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2024

Pink eye, otherwise known as conjunctivitis, is the inflammation of the part of the eye called the conjunctiva, which is the membrane lining the inside of the eyelid as well as the eyeball. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 30 July 2024

In all three cases, symptoms were mild and involved red, bloodshot eyes, a sign of conjunctivitis. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

conjunctivitis

noun

con·​junc·​ti·​vi·​tis kən-ˌjəŋ(k)-ti-ˈvīt-əs 

: inflammation of the conjunctiva : pinkeye

Medical Definition

conjunctivitis

noun

con·​junc·​ti·​vi·​tis kən-ˌjəŋ(k)-ti-ˈvīt-əs 

: inflammation of the conjunctiva that is typically marked by pinkness or redness of the sclera and by itching, burning, irritation, discharge, or excessive tearing of the eye and that is typically caused by pathogenic microorganisms (such as bacteria or viruses), allergens, or irritants see pink eye