degenerative

adjective

de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈje-nə-rə-tiv 

-ˈjen-rə-;

-ˈje-nə-ˌrā-;

dē-

: of, relating to, involving, or causing degeneration

a degenerative disease

Did you know?

Degenerative diseases—including cancer, glaucoma, Parkinson's, diabetes, arthritis, and leprosy—are usually contrasted with infectious diseases (diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa). However, many infectious diseases (Lyme disease, AIDS, etc.) can cause a body or body part to degenerate, and infective organisms play a part in some degenerative diseases. Some degenerative diseases can be controlled; some can even be cured. But no one has yet discovered a way to reverse such degenerative conditions as multiple sclerosis, emphysema, or Alzheimer's.

Examples of degenerative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Less than a year later, he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a degenerative brain disease that currently has no cure. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024

Arthritis is currently incurable, but the Zoo staff managed her condition with various treatments and therapies to slow down the degenerative disease and lessen the pain. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024

Often by the time symptoms of memory loss and cognitive decline appear, the degenerative brain condition is more difficult to treat. —Alice Park, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

For example, two patients with a degenerative tissue disease like osteoarthritis of the knee can have nearly identical X-rays and yet their pain experience and response to treatments are completely different. —Rachael Rzasa Lynn, The Conversation, 25 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1846, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

degenerative

adjective

de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv 

-ˈjen-(ə-)rət-iv

: of, relating to, or tending to cause degeneration

a degenerative disease

Medical Definition

degenerative

adjective

de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv  -ˈjen-(ə-)rət- 

: of, relating to, involving, or tending to cause degeneration

degenerative conditions of the nervous system

—Morris Fishbein

degenerative changes

a degenerative muscle disorder