1
: any of several diseases characterized by skin lesions
especially
: systemic lupus erythematosus sense 2
2
Lupus astronomy
: a southern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Scorpius and Centaurus and that is represented by the figure of a wolf
Above Lupus lies Scorpius, one of the few constellations whose star pattern actually suggests the object that it is named for. In the myths, the scorpion was assigned by Artemis, the hunting goddess, to kill Orion, far across the sky.—
Don Moser
Don MoserExamples of lupus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Most people survive with lupus, but the Lupus Foundation said around 10 to 15% of people with lupus die prematurely due to complications of the disease.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024
Turning on a ‘molecular switch’ to treat lupus There’s essentially a double disadvantage with lupus: Patients have lower levels of helpful immune cells and higher levels of damage-promoting ones.
—Elaine Chen Reprints, STAT, 11 July 2024
The study arrived at its findings by comparing blood samples from 19 people with lupus to blood samples from healthy individuals.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 July 2024
In lupus, the immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the body's healthy cells.
—Sunny Sea Gold, Health, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for lupus 
Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024
Turning on a ‘molecular switch’ to treat lupus There’s essentially a double disadvantage with lupus: Patients have lower levels of helpful immune cells and higher levels of damage-promoting ones.
—Elaine Chen Reprints, STAT, 11 July 2024
The study arrived at its findings by comparing blood samples from 19 people with lupus to blood samples from healthy individuals.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 July 2024
In lupus, the immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the body's healthy cells.
—Sunny Sea Gold, Health, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for lupus
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lupus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Lupus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lupus. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lupus
noun
lu·pus
ˈlü-pəs 
: any of several diseases (as lupus vulgaris or systemic lupus erythematosus) characterized by skin lesions
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