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

Eric Dane just revealed in April that he’d been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but he’s already lost function in his right arm and worries about weakness on his left side and in his legs. —Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025

Just one month after their reconciliation, Dane announced that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 16 June 2025

As those scans didn't reveal anything out of the ordinary, doctors ordered a blood test for neurofilament light chain levels, which are often elevated in cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025

Sinclair was inspired to find a cure for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a debilitating neurological disorder, after his partner's mother was diagnosed with it. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 May 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