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

Twelve-year-old Drew Pontarolo doesn’t remember getting diagnosed with the muscular degenerative disease FSHD. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Hollister — a commercial real estate broker from Chagrin Falls, Ohio — was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in early 2022. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

Environmental impacts that are regenerative rather than degenerative. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

This approach could be transformative for patients with conditions such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal deformities. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for degenerative

• regenerative
• generative
• neurodegenerative

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