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

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, affects about 14 million adult dogs in the United States, according to the Morris Animal Foundation. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

Also commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a degenerative disease that impacts the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cords, with a life expectancy of two to five years after symptoms first begin. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a degenerative nerve disorder that causes damage mainly in the arms and legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025

And what about Anne, saddled with a degenerative disease and a less-than-sexy cleric husband? —Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 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