nephritis

noun

ne·​phri·​tis ni-ˈfrī-təs How to pronounce nephritis (audio)
plural nephritides ni-ˈfri-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce nephritis (audio)
: acute or chronic inflammation of the kidney caused by infection, degenerative process, or vascular disease

Examples of nephritis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Infections, some kinds of cancer, and some medications can also cause a condition called nephritis, or inflammation of the nephrons, that can quickly lead to kidney failure. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024 The autoimmune disease can cause lupus nephritis, a kidney disease that results in inflammation. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2024 Richard, who was dying from chronic nephritis, lived another eight years, dying in 1962. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2023 On rare occasions, penicillins can cause acute interstitial nephritis, an inflammatory kidney condition most often caused by an abnormal immune reaction to medications. Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023 The Get Uncomfortable campaign notes that 1 in 3 people with lupus nephritis may experience kidney failure. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 Sep. 2023 In 2017, Gomez revealed that she was additionally diagnosed with lupus nephritis—a lupus complication that affects the kidneys—and had to receive a kidney transplant that year. Kayla Blanton, SELF, 21 Sep. 2023 Renal cancer, nephritis, and kidney tubal tissue injury are just some of the conditions that were initially excluded because of a lack of available scientific data connecting them to radiation exposure. Time, 21 July 2023 Sometimes, the body targets kidney cells, known as lupus nephritis. Anne Harding, Health, 19 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nephritis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek, from nephros kidney; probably akin to Middle English nere kidney

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nephritis was in 1566

Dictionary Entries Near nephritis

Cite this Entry

“Nephritis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nephritis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nephritis

noun
ne·​phri·​tis ni-ˈfrīt-əs How to pronounce nephritis (audio)
plural nephritides -ˈfrit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce nephritis (audio)
: inflammation of the kidneys

Medical Definition

nephritis

noun
ne·​phri·​tis ni-ˈfrīt-əs How to pronounce nephritis (audio)
plural nephritides -ˈfrit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce nephritis (audio)
: acute or chronic inflammation of the kidney affecting the structure (as of the glomerulus or parenchyma) and caused by infection, a degenerative process, or vascular disease compare nephrosclerosis, nephrosis

More from Merriam-Webster on nephritis

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