keratitis

noun

ker·​a·​ti·​tis ˌker-ə-ˈtī-təs How to pronounce keratitis (audio)
plural keratitides ˌker-ə-ˈti-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce keratitis (audio)
: inflammation of the cornea of the eye

Examples of keratitis 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.
This can lead to serious eye infections like keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea caused by bacteria or fungi. — Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2024 Fungus can cause either keratitis—an infection of the outer layer of the eye—or endophthalmitis, an inner eye infection. — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024 People with chemical keratitis, as it’s called, are generally treated with numbing drops and need to have their eyes flushed—sometimes for hours—until their pH returns to normal. — Angela Haupt, Time, 19 Mar. 2026 Besides widespread infections, Acanthamoeba is known to cause localized ones, most notably eye infections—aka Acanthamoeba keratitis. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for keratitis

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French kératite, from Greek kerat-, kéras "horn" + French -ite -itis — more at kerato-

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of keratitis was in 1858

Rhymes for keratitis

See All Rhymes for keratitis

Browse Nearby Words

keratinocyte
keratitis
keratoconjunctivitis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

keratitis

noun
ker·​a·​ti·​tis ˌker-ə-ˈtīt-əs How to pronounce keratitis (audio)
plural keratitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce keratitis (audio)
: inflammation of the cornea of the eye characterized by burning or smarting, blurring of vision, and sensitiveness to light and caused by infectious or noninfectious agents

called also corneitis

compare keratoconjunctivitis

More from Merriam-Webster on keratitis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about keratitis

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