prion disease

noun

: any of a group of spongiform encephalopathies that are caused by prions and that include bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, kuru, scrapie, and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

called also transmissible spongiform encephalopathy

Examples of prion disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This rare and genetic prion disease claimed her mother’s life when Lenox and her brother Kip (Logan Miller) were very young. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025

Another prion disease, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), has a similar name but is a different, much rarer, disease, according to the Center of Disease Control. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 24 Sep. 2025

To date, there are no known incidents of people acquiring a prion disease by consuming deer, elk or moose meat, said Geschwind, the UCSF professor. — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025

The team of experts is planning for a potential outbreak, focusing on public health surveillance, lab capacity, prion disease diagnostics, surveillance of livestock and wildlife, risk communication, and education and outreach. — Jim Robbin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prion disease

• abcs
• absentees
• addressees
• adoptees
• allottees
• amputees
• antifreeze
• appellees
• appointees
• arrestees
• artistes
• assamese

Medical Definition

prion disease

noun

: any of a group of spongiform encephalopathies that are caused and transmitted by prions and that include bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, fatal familial insomnia, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome, kuru, scrapie, and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

called also transmissible spongiform encephalopathy