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

Six years later, a spokesperson confirmed the singer had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025

The Grammy-winning artist had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2022. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2025

In 2022, Flack was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and lost her ability to sing. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025

No cause of death was given, but Flack had been living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the neurological condition also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 24 Feb. 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