1
: any of several diseases characterized by skin lesions
especially
: systemic lupus erythematosus sense 2
2
Lupus astronomy
: a southern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Scorpius and Centaurus and that is represented by the figure of a wolf
Above Lupus lies Scorpius, one of the few constellations whose star pattern actually suggests the object that it is named for. In the myths, the scorpion was assigned by Artemis, the hunting goddess, to kill Orion, far across the sky.—
Don Moser
Don MoserExamples of lupus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are associated with faster build-up of plaque in the arteries.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2025
Her lupus also led to her needing a kidney transplant in 2017.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
The About-Face Beauty founder first revealed that they’d been diagnosed with the T-cell disorder, as well as lupus, in June 2024, and sang about experiencing severe health issues on album The Great Impersonator.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
Last year, Halsey revealed that they were diagnosed with lupus and a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder in 2022.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lupus
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Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2025
Her lupus also led to her needing a kidney transplant in 2017.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
The About-Face Beauty founder first revealed that they’d been diagnosed with the T-cell disorder, as well as lupus, in June 2024, and sang about experiencing severe health issues on album The Great Impersonator.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
Last year, Halsey revealed that they were diagnosed with lupus and a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder in 2022.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lupus
Cite this Entry
“Lupus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lupus. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lupus
noun
lu·pus
ˈlü-pəs 
: any of several diseases (as lupus vulgaris or systemic lupus erythematosus) characterized by skin lesions
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