atherosclerosis

noun

ath·​ero·​scle·​ro·​sis ˌa-thə-ˌrō-sklə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce atherosclerosis (audio)
: an arteriosclerosis characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries
atherosclerotic adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Aging is related to chronic diseases such as dementia, cancer, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2021 Because high blood pressure is a key risk factor for other more dangerous forms of cardiovascular disease like atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart disease, including it, doctors argue, could be a key way to prevent far more dangerous forms of the umbrella condition of cardiovascular disease. Claire Maldarelli, Popular Science, 7 Feb. 2019 New research linked poor sleep with atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque on artery walls. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2023 This process is called atherosclerosis. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 15 Dec. 2022 Using the new methods, the study found that people with significant clogging of the arteries, or atherosclerosis — but without any outward symptoms of heart disease, like chest pains — were two or three times as likely to die within a few years as those without evidence of the condition. Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2022 Down the road, as a therapeutic, TSLP could potentially help treat obesity and diseases such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis, but people with skin barrier issues, such as alopecia and eczema, might also benefit from the oil-producing function. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 4 Apr. 2022 This condition is called atherosclerosis. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 3 June 2021 Also called atherosclerosis, CAD is the most common type of heart disease, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 24 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'atherosclerosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of atherosclerosis was in 1910

Dictionary Entries Near atherosclerosis

Cite this Entry

“Atherosclerosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atherosclerosis. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

atherosclerosis

noun
ath·​ero·​scle·​ro·​sis ˌath-ə-rō-sklə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce atherosclerosis (audio)
: hardening and thickening of the walls of arteries due to deposit of fatty substances in the inner layer

Medical Definition

atherosclerosis

noun
ath·​ero·​scle·​ro·​sis ˌath-ə-rō-sklə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce atherosclerosis (audio)
plural atheroscleroses -ˌsēz How to pronounce atherosclerosis (audio)
: an arteriosclerosis characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries
atherosclerotic adjective
atherosclerotically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on atherosclerosis

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