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

Due to his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, Dane has lost use of his right arm. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025

Eric Dane's wife, Rebecca Gayheart, shared an update on how their family is coping following the actor's amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025

The 52-year-old actor, who has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), was slated to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Grey’s Anatomy but was absent on the evening. —Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025

My friend Kim Shattuck, from the Muffs, passed away from [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis], which was horrible. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 2 + my- + -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