glomerulonephritis

noun

glo·​mer·​u·​lo·​ne·​phri·​tis glə-ˌmer-(y)ə-lō-ni-ˈfrī-təs How to pronounce glomerulonephritis (audio)
plural glomerulonephritides glə-ˌmer-(y)ə-lō-ni-ˈfri-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce glomerulonephritis (audio)
: acute or chronic nephritis that involves inflammation of the capillaries of the renal glomeruli, has various causes (such as streptococcal infection, lupus, or vasculitis) or may be of unknown cause, and is marked especially by blood or protein in the urine and by edema, and if untreated may lead to kidney failure

Examples of glomerulonephritis in a Sentence

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Other conditions that can cause kidney failure include polycystic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, and kidney infections. — Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 30 Sep. 2024 There are several types of glomerulonephritis, with unique causes (e.g., lupus, diabetes, or viral infection) and varying degrees of severity. — Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 1 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glomerulonephritis was circa 1886

Rhymes for glomerulonephritis

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glomerule
glomerulonephritis
glomerulose
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“Glomerulonephritis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glomerulonephritis. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

glomerulonephritis

noun
glo·​mer·​u·​lo·​ne·​phri·​tis -ˌmer-(y)ə-lō-ni-ˈfrīt-əs How to pronounce glomerulonephritis (audio)
plural glomerulonephritides -ˈfrit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce glomerulonephritis (audio)
: acute or chronic nephritis that involves inflammation of the capillaries of the renal glomeruli, has various causes (such as streptococcal infection, lupus, or vasculitis) or may be of unknown cause, is marked especially by blood or protein in the urine and by edema, and if untreated may lead to kidney failure
Glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, and hypertension are the major causes of human kidney failure that lead to dialysis or transplantation.— Wayne A. Border et al., Science & Medicine

More from Merriam-Webster on glomerulonephritis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glomerulonephritis

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