amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

noun

amyo·​tro·​phic lateral sclerosis ˌā-ˌmī-ə-ˈtrō-fik-  -ˈträ- 

: 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

Stephen Hawking, a British physicist and arguably the most famous man suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), communicated with the world using a sensor installed in his glasses. —ArsTechnica, 29 June 2025

Less than 10 percent of individuals with the rare nervous system disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) take part in clinical trials, according to a 2024 NIH report. —Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

The implant allows those with cervical spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to control a computer with their thoughts. —Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 27 June 2025

Dane first announced his ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) diagnosis in April. —Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 2 + my- + -trophic

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

• acanthosis
• acidosis
• alkalosis
• amaurosis
• ankylosis
• asbestosis
• brucellosis
• cyanosis
• dermatosis
• diagnosis
• ecchymosis
• exostosis

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