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

Six months later, Burritt and Shingleton received the official diagnosis that their daughter had KIF1A-Associated Neurological Disorder, an extremely rare neurodegenerative genetic disease. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025

Some people with Alzheimer’s disease may have very little daily cycling of melatonin, perhaps contributing to the sleep difficulties that are a feature of the neurodegenerative disorder. —Veronique Greenwood, Time, 10 Nov. 2025

According to Niotis, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s start decades before signs of memory loss and diagnosis occur. —Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 7 Nov. 2025

Researchers have noted that the focus of community, culture and family structures within Indigenous populations can protect against some early-life stresses and social isolation, a risk factor for neurodegenerative disease. —Holly J. McDede, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025

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