amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

noun

amyo·​tro·​phic lateral sclerosis ˌā-ˌmī-ə-ˈtrō-fik-  -ˈträ- 

: a rare progressive degenerative fatal disease affecting the motor neurons, usually beginning in middle age, and characterized especially by increasing and spreading muscular weakness and atrophy

—abbreviation ALS

called also Lou Gehrig's disease

Examples of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gunn died Monday at his Toronto home following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, according to an obituary. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

The event, hosted by Bay Club, raises money for continued research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s disease. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

People magazine, which obtained his death certificate, reports the cause was respiratory failure with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, as an underlying cause of death. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026

In April 2025, Dane publicly announced his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

translation of French sclérose latérale amyotrophique; amyotrophique "marked by atrophy of a muscle" from a- a- entry 2 + myo- myo- + -trophique -trophic

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

• acanthosis
• acidosis
• alkalosis
• amaurosis
• ankylosis
• asbestosis
• brucellosis
• cyanosis
• dermatosis
• diagnosis
• ecchymosis
• exostosis

Medical Definition

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

noun

: a rare fatal progressive degenerative disease that affects pyramidal motor neurons, usually begins in middle age, and is characterized especially by increasing and spreading muscular weakness

—abbreviation ALS

called also Lou Gehrig's disease