neurodegenerative

adjective

neu·​ro·​de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive ˌnu̇r-ō-di-ˈje-nə-rə-tiv 

-ˈjen-rə-;

-ˈje-nə-ˌrā-;

-dē-, 

ˌnyu̇r-

: relating to or marked by degeneration of nervous tissue

Examples of neurodegenerative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another of measles’ worst and most insidious outcomes is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), an untreatable neurodegenerative condition that can take nearly a decade to manifest. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026

The neurodegenerative disease strikes at muscle control and progressively limits the ability to move, walk, speak and breathe. —Victoria Craw The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026

Dane announced last year that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a rare but swiftly progressing neurodegenerative disease. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 20 Feb. 2026

Dane went on to advocate for legislation addressing research on neurodegenerative diseases. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for neurodegenerative

• degenerative
• regenerative
• generative

Medical Definition

neurodegenerative

adjective

neu·​ro·​de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive -di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv, -di-ˈjen-(ə-)rət- 

: relating to or characterized by degeneration of nervous tissue

neurodegeneration

-di-ˌjen-ə-ˈrā-shən, -ˌdē- 

noun