spondylitis

noun

spon·​dy·​li·​tis ˌspän-də-ˈlī-təs How to pronounce spondylitis (audio)
: inflammation of the vertebrae

Examples of spondylitis 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.
He was diagnosed at 27 with ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease that can cause the vertebrae to fuse over time. — Mckenna Oxenden, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023 Some of these medical conditions include issues like seronegative spondyloarthropathy or ankylosing spondylitis. — Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 4 May 2023 Lori Long, the Salinas woman living with ankylosing spondylitis, lost medication support and continuity of care for almost two years after her doctor died. — Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2023 How Symptoms Differ Between Women and Men Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms can vary quite a bit between women and men. — Health, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spondylitis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek sphondylos, spondylos vertebra

First Known Use

circa 1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spondylitis was circa 1849

Rhymes for spondylitis

See All Rhymes for spondylitis

Browse Nearby Words

Spondylidae
spondylitis
spondylium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

spondylitis

noun
spon·​dy·​li·​tis ˌspän-də-ˈlīt-əs How to pronounce spondylitis (audio)
: inflammation of the vertebrae
tuberculous spondylitis
see ankylosing spondylitis

More from Merriam-Webster on spondylitis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spondylitis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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