endometriosis

noun

en·​do·​me·​tri·​osis ˌen-dō-ˌmē-trē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce endometriosis (audio)
: the presence and growth of tissue similar to endometrium in places other than the uterus and especially in the pelvis and abdomen that often results in severe pain and infertility
Endometriosis is not malignant, but it mimics cancer in the way it spreads and attaches itself to other organs—most commonly the ovary, bladder, and bowel.—Consumer Reports
Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of female infertility and causes great pain and life disruption.—Paul G. Donohue

Examples of endometriosis 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.
During an exploratory surgery to address the issue, doctors also discovered a cyst on her right ovary and scarring caused by endometriosis. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026 Freeh, who is 45, has had endless complications in her years-long quest to have a child, including three procedures to remove endometriosis. — Heather Grossmann, Parents, 16 June 2026 Hormonal conditions such as menorrhagia, endometriosis, or fibroids can increase the risk as well. — Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 30 June 2026 The injectable is meant to treat both androgenetic alopecia (commonly known as male or female pattern baldness) and endometriosis. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for endometriosis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of endometriosis was in 1925

Rhymes for endometriosis

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Browse Nearby Words

endomere
endometriosis
endometritis
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Cite this Entry

“Endometriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endometriosis. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

endometriosis

noun
en·​do·​me·​tri·​osis ˌen-dō-ˌmē-trē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce endometriosis (audio)
plural endometrioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce endometriosis (audio)
: the presence and growth of tissue similar to endometrium in places other than the uterus and especially in the pelvis and abdomen and that often results in severe pain and infertility
The primary symptoms of endometriosis are pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, backache, dyschezia, dysuria, and infertility.—G. David Adamson, The Journal of the American Medical Association
About 40 percent of infertile women suffer from endometriosis.—Gigi Martino, Science News
see adenomyosis
endometriotic
-trē-ˈät-ik How to pronounce endometriosis (audio)
adjective
an endometriotic cyst
endometriotic tissue

More from Merriam-Webster on endometriosis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about endometriosis

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