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

After being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on May 9, Marla was given a life expectancy of six to 18 months. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

In April, Dane announced that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025

The November 24 episode of NBC’s Brilliant Minds stars Grey’s Anatomy alum Eric Dane as Matthew, a 9/11 firefighter who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2025

Her mom, Linda Krohn Lund—who passed away in 2022 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—had suffered a stroke during childbirth that left her physically limited for life. —Sierra Shafer, Outside, 18 Nov. 2025

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

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