enterocolitis

noun

en·​tero·​co·​li·​tis ˌen-tə-rō-kə-ˈlī-təs How to pronounce enterocolitis (audio)
: enteritis affecting both the large and small intestine

Examples of enterocolitis 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.
That is why the studies saw fewer cases of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in babies who received breast milk or donor breast milk. — Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026 The lawsuits allege Abbott did not properly warn caregivers about the risks of necrotizing enterocolitis, a severe intestinal disease. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2025 The family was told that the cause of death was necrotizing enterocolitis, a gastrointestinal illness seen in newborns, particularly premature newborns. — Emily Brindley, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026 The mother was referring to neonatal intensive care units and necrotizing enterocolitis, an often fatal condition in which intestinal tissue can die and allow infection to spread through the body of an infant born prematurely. — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for enterocolitis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enterocolitis was circa 1857

Rhymes for enterocolitis

See All Rhymes for enterocolitis

Browse Nearby Words

enterocoele
enterocolitis
enterocyte
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

enterocolitis

noun
en·​tero·​co·​li·​tis ˌent-ə-rō-kə-ˈlīt-əs How to pronounce enterocolitis (audio)
: enteritis affecting both the large and small intestine

More from Merriam-Webster on enterocolitis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about enterocolitis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All