poliomyelitis

noun

po·​lio·​my·​eli·​tis ˌpō-lē-(ˌ)ō-ˌmī-ə-ˈlī-təs How to pronounce poliomyelitis (audio)
Synonyms of poliomyelitisnext
: polio

Examples of poliomyelitis 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.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a viral disease that affects the nervous system. — Fox News, 23 July 2022 Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under age 5 that is mainly spread through contact with human fecal matter. — Hyder Abbasi, NBC News, 11 Aug. 2022 Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease, which invades the nervous system and spreads mainly through contamination by fecal matter. — Adela Suliman, BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2022 Other vaccines including for poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps and rubella will remain in place unless updated through legislation, according to the state Department of Health. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for poliomyelitis

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (in German context), from Greek poliós "pale gray (as of human hair), grizzled" + -o- -o- + myelós "marrow" (alluding to the gray matter of the ventral horns of the spinal cord, which the disease affects) + New Latin -itis -itis — more at fallow entry 1, myelo-

Note: The word was apparently introduced by the German physician Adolf Kussmaul (1822-1902), in a publication by his assistant, Anton Frey, "Aus der Klinik des Herrn Geh. Rath Prof. Kussmaul in Freiburg i. B. Ein Fall von subacuter Lähmung Erwachsener—wahrscheinlich Poliomyelitis anterior subacuta," Berliner klinische Wochenschrift, 11. Jahrgang, No. 45 (9 November 1874), pp. 566-68. Compare earlier New Latin myelitis myelitis.

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poliomyelitis was in 1875

Rhymes for poliomyelitis

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Browse Nearby Words

poliomyelitic
poliomyelitis
polioneuromere
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

poliomyelitis

noun
po·​lio·​my·​eli·​tis ˌpō-lē-ˌō-ˌmī-ə-ˈlīt-əs How to pronounce poliomyelitis (audio)
: an infectious virus disease marked by inflammation of nerve cells in the spinal cord accompanied by fever and often paralysis and wasting of muscles

called also infantile paralysis

Medical Definition

poliomyelitis

noun
po·​lio·​my·​eli·​tis ˌpō-lē-(ˌ)ō-ˌmī-ə-ˈlīt-əs How to pronounce poliomyelitis (audio)
plural poliomyelitides -ˈlit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce poliomyelitis (audio)
: polio
poliomyelitic
-ˈlit-ik
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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