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
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.
After revealing he'd been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in early 2025, the actor died in February 2026, but not before filming scenes for the third season. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026 The family’s outing comes a month after Dane died at the age of 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, the degenerative neurological disorder that currently has no cure. Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026 Dane died on February 19 due to respiratory failure with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as a contributing cause. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026 Dane died at the age of 53 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Word History

Etymology

translation of French sclérose latérale amyotrophique; amyotrophique "marked by atrophy of a muscle" from a- a- entry 2 + myo- myo- + -trophique -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 5 Apr. 2026.

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

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