amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

noun

amyo·​tro·​phic lateral sclerosis ˌā-ˌmī-ə-ˈtrō-fik- How to pronounce amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (audio) -ˈträ- How to pronounce amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (audio)
: a rare progressive degenerative fatal disease affecting the motor neurons, usually beginning in middle age, and characterized especially by increasing and spreading muscular weakness and atrophy
abbreviation ALS

called also Lou Gehrig's disease

Examples of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The 52-year-old actor, who has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), was slated to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Grey’s Anatomy but was absent on the evening. Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025 My friend Kim Shattuck, from the Muffs, passed away from [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis], which was horrible. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 16 Sep. 2025 Actor Eric Dane is backing a new campaign to accelerate research into finding a cure for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025 The 52-year-old actor, who has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), was slated to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Grey’s Anatomy. Dave Quinn, People.com, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 2 + my- + -trophic

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was in 1875

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Cite this Entry

“Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amyotrophic%20lateral%20sclerosis. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

noun
: a rare fatal progressive degenerative disease that affects pyramidal motor neurons, usually begins in middle age, and is characterized especially by increasing and spreading muscular weakness
abbreviation ALS

called also Lou Gehrig's disease

More from Merriam-Webster on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

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