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

Dane revealed his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in an April interview with People magazine. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026

Eric Dane passed away on February 19 at the age of 53 following a brave battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026

Dane announced last year that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a rare but swiftly progressing neurodegenerative disease. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 20 Feb. 2026

The actor died less than a year after going public about his struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 20 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