1
: any of several diseases characterized by skin lesions
2
Lupus astronomy : a southern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Scorpius and Centaurus and that is represented by the figure of a wolf
Above Lupus lies Scorpius, one of the few constellations whose star pattern actually suggests the object that it is named for. In the myths, the scorpion was assigned by Artemis, the hunting goddess, to kill Orion, far across the sky.Don Moser

Examples of lupus 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.
Red light therapy is not safe for everyone, including people with cancer, lupus, epilepsy, or those who are pregnant or taking light-sensitizing medications. Sukhman Rekhi, Verywell Health, 10 July 2026 For people managing chronic or autoimmune conditions like lupus, the same continuous-monitoring approach could flag the haematological shifts that precede a flare, prompting further testing before symptoms escalate. Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Patients might be women in their 30s with an autoimmune disease like lupus or people of any age exposed to such toxins as methamphetamines or, in the past, the fen-phen appetite suppressant drug of the 1990s, later withdrawn after being linked to heart disease. Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 June 2026 Harvard Health reports the associations may stretch well beyond the gut, from autoimmune diseases like lupus, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis to chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis, allergies, asthma, acne, obesity and even mental illness. Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lupus

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, wolf

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lupus was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Lupus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lupus. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

: any of several diseases (as lupus vulgaris or systemic lupus erythematosus) characterized by skin lesions
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