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

Synchron's tech, though not without technical issues, has allowed victims of degenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to use Apple devices. —Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 24 May 2025

Indeed, the three-time Grammy winner and Zac Brown Band founding member spent summer 2024 traveling the country with his musical comrades and alongside Kenny Chesney on the Sun Goes Down tour, all while Hopkins continued to battle degenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Tricia Despres, People.com, 12 May 2025

Herb Wiley, a guitarist in Rye Coalition and the Black Hollies, revealed last week that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the rare neurodegenerative disorder that’s also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2025

The Ice Bucket Challenge was created in 2014 to raise awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 25 Apr. 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