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

The position can aggravate lower-back conditions including spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and spinal instability. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Something like trying to cure diseases, that's not a time-neutral agenda item for people who have degenerative and progressive disease. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Physical therapists advise against it for people with spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spinal instability or pain while lying on the stomach or bending forward. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Morsa Images / Getty Images Evidence has been accumulating steadily for over a decade that arthroscopic knee surgery to shave torn, degenerative cartilage does not help more than physical therapy. — Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1680, 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