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

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease causing pain, swelling and stiffness in the knees that worsens over time. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025

Experts have emphasized the need for immediate medical evaluation after such incidents, citing potential causes ranging from complex partial seizures and mini strokes to anxiety or degenerative neurological conditions. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025

At 4, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative eye disease that leads to eventual blindness. —Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

Since the condition is degenerative, Alitas will be on medication for the rest of her life to slow the disease’s progression and prevent her heart from getting bigger. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 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