vaginosis

noun

vag·​i·​no·​sis ˌva-jə-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce vaginosis (audio)
plural vaginoses ˌva-jə-ˈnō-ˌsēz How to pronounce vaginosis (audio)
: a disease or infection of the vagina
specifically : bacterial vaginosis

Examples of vaginosis 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.
If a woman is infected during a pregnancy, vaginosis can cause the baby to be born prematurely or with a low birth weight. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Aug. 2020 Unlike a bacterial infection like vaginosis, yeast infections do not make discharge smelly. — Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 6 Oct. 2020 Others harbored less healthy species that lead to bacterial vaginosis, inflammation that can increase risk of certain health problems. — Washington Post, 1 June 2017 Bacterial vaginosis is typically treated with antibiotics, but relapse rates are high. — Azeen Ghorayshi, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2022 Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition triggered by an overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria. — Zoe Ferguson, Health.com, 13 July 2017 Currently our lead product is in a Phase II clinical stage to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness in treating bacterial vaginosis. — Leah Kodner, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2017

Word History

Etymology

vagina + -osis

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vaginosis was in 1982

Phrases Containing vaginosis

Rhymes for vaginosis

See All Rhymes for vaginosis

Browse Nearby Words

vagino-
vaginosis
vaginula
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

vaginosis

noun
vag·​i·​no·​sis ˌvaj-ə-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce vaginosis (audio)
plural vaginoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce vaginosis (audio)
: an abnormal or diseased condition of the vagina
specifically : bacterial vaginosis
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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