muscular dystrophy

noun

|Updated on: 26 Jul 2018

Definition of muscular dystrophy

: any of a group of hereditary diseases characterized by progressive wasting of muscles — compare Becker muscular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy

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Recent Examples of muscular dystrophy from the Web

Megan has myotonic dystrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy that affects muscles and other organs in the body.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Lake Michigan fishery takes on a special shine for annual USSA outing," 23 June 2018
Ali has muscular dystrophy — a genetic disease that causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass — which has featured prominently on the show.

— alexia fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Teen Mom's Leah Messer Reveals She Slept with Ex-Husband Jeremy Calvert: 'It Happened Once'," 19 June 2018
Louisiana's medical marijuana bill approved in 2016 allowed the use of medical marijuana to treat certain conditions, including HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, muscular dystrophy and epilepsy.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Medical marijuana bill to treat PTSD, chronic pain, and Parkinson's heads to the state senate," 12 Apr. 2018
However, health conditions like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy can also cause scoliosis, the Mayo Clinic says.

— korin miller, SELF, "Princess Eugenie Shares an X-Ray From Her Childhood Scoliosis Surgery on Instagram," 3 July 2018
Vice President Mike Pence was also a champion for the Right to Try legislation and teamed up with Indianapolis second grader Jordan McLinn, who is taking part in a clinical trial for a drug to treat his form of muscular dystrophy.

— kaitlin lange, Indianapolis Star, "Trump to sign 'big legislation' that Donnelly helped craft, including Right to Try bill," 24 May 2018
More people in the United States suffer from it than from multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy.

— mike candelaria, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Chronic fatigue syndrome puts Central Florida woman on a mission to help," 11 May 2018
Scheier was inspired by her son Oliver, who has a form of muscular dystrophy.

— emily matchar, Smithsonian, "Designing “Adaptive Clothing” For Those With Special Needs," 8 May 2018
Louisiana law currently allows doctors with a therapeutic cannabis license to recommend cannabis to patients with certain medical conditions, including muscular dystrophy, Crohn's disease, HIV/AIDS, cancer and severe seizures.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards gets B grade on policy from marijuana group," 7 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'muscular dystrophy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of muscular dystrophy

1886

in the meaning defined above

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MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY Defined for English Language Learners

muscular dystrophy

noun

Definition of muscular dystrophy for English Language Learners

medical : a serious disease that causes increasing weakness of muscles

Medical Dictionary

muscular dystrophy

noun

medical Definition of muscular dystrophy

: any of a group of hereditary diseases characterized by progressive wasting of muscles — called also progressive muscular dystrophy; see becker muscular dystrophy, duchenne muscular dystrophy