anterograde

adjective

an·​ter·​o·​grade ˈan-tə-(ˌ)rō-ˌgrād How to pronounce anterograde (audio)
1
: occurring or performed in the normal or forward direction of conduction or flow: such as
a
: occurring along nerve processes away from the cell body
anterograde axonal transport
compare retrograde sense 1c(1)
b
: occurring in the normal direction or path of blood circulation
restoration of anterograde flow in an occluded coronary artery
compare retrograde sense 1c(2)
2
: affecting memories for a period of time immediately following a precipitating event (such as alcohol intoxication, traumatic brain injury, or severe emotional stress) and especially from the time of onset to the present
anterograde amnesia
compare retrograde sense 5

Examples of anterograde in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Christopher Nolan’s neo-noir breakout follows a man (Guy Pearce) suffering from anterograde amnesia who tries to solve his wife’s murder without the ability to form new short-term memories. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin antero- from front to (from Latin anterior) + English -grade

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anterograde was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near anterograde

Cite this Entry

“Anterograde.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anterograde. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

anterograde

adjective
an·​tero·​grade ˈant-ə-(ˌ)rō-ˌgrād How to pronounce anterograde (audio)
1
: affecting memories for a period of time immediately following a precipitating event (as alcohol intoxication, traumatic brain injury, electroconvulsive therapy, or severe emotional stress) and especially from the time of onset to the present
anterograde memory loss
He suffered an anterograde amnesia. He drew from his past and registered the present, but his brain could not consolidate a new experience and retain it.Bruce H. Dobkin, Discover
compare retrograde sense 2
2
: occurring or performed in the normal or forward direction of conduction or flow: as
a
: occurring along nerve cell processes away from the cell body
anterograde axonal transport
b
: occurring in the normal direction or path of blood circulation
restoration of anterograde flow in an occluded coronary artery
compare retrograde sense 3
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