encephalitis
noun
en·ceph·a·li·tis
in-ˌse-fə-ˈlī-təs 
plural encephalitides
in-ˌse-fə-ˈli-tə-ˌdēz
: inflammation of the brain that is caused especially by infection with a virus (such as herpes simplex or West Nile virus) or less commonly by bacterial or fungal infection or autoimmune reaction
Note: Encephalitis may be asymptomatic or present with mild to severe symptoms (such as fever, headache, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness) sometimes progressing to coma or death.
Examples of encephalitis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples include pneumonia, seizures, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
—
Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 25 Oct. 2024
In rare cases — about one in every 150 infected people — the virus can lead to serious conditions affecting the nervous system, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), the CDC states on its website.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 9 Oct. 2024
About 30% of encephalitis cases caused by EEE result in death.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2024
Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and can be deadly.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for encephalitis 
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.
Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 25 Oct. 2024
In rare cases — about one in every 150 infected people — the virus can lead to serious conditions affecting the nervous system, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), the CDC states on its website.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 9 Oct. 2024
About 30% of encephalitis cases caused by EEE result in death.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2024
Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and can be deadly.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for encephalitis
Dictionary Entries Near encephalitis
Cite this Entry
“Encephalitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encephalitis. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
encephalitis
noun
en·ceph·a·li·tis
in-ˌsef-ə-ˈlīt-əs
(ˌ)en-
: inflammation of the brain
also
: a disease marked by encephalitis
Medical Definition
encephalitis
noun
en·ceph·a·li·tis
in-ˌsef-ə-ˈlīt-əs
plural encephalitides
-ˈlit-ə-ˌdēz
: inflammation of the brain that is caused especially by infection with a virus (such as herpes simplex, varicella zoster, or West Nile virus) or less commonly by bacterial or fungal infection or autoimmune reaction
Note: Encephalitis may be asymptomatic or present with mild to severe symptoms (such as fever, headache, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness) sometimes progressing to coma or death.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share