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

Based on a true story, Albom finds out his favorite professor at Brandeis University is dying from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Jann E. Freed, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

Unfortunately, this also limits medical treatment for neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, brain tumors, and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025

Flack previously announced in 2022 that she had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and could no longer sing or speak. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025

The neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) had gradually paralyzed him in the five years since his symptoms began. —Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024

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