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

Patients with a neurodegenerative disease, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), can preserve a library of vocal recordings before their condition progresses and impacts their speech. — Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026

Dane died at 53 in February, less than one year after publicly announcing he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). — Robert Powell, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026

In his final months before his death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the late Eric Dane poured his life into a book. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2026

The feature is intended to reduce the difficulties people with conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may face when using conventional keyboards or voice dictation. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 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