degenerative

adjective

de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈje-nə-rə-tiv How to pronounce degenerative (audio)
-ˈjen-rə-;
-ˈje-nə-ˌrā-;
dē-
: of, relating to, involving, or causing degeneration
a degenerative disease

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Degenerative diseases—including cancer, glaucoma, Parkinson's, diabetes, arthritis, and leprosy—are usually contrasted with infectious diseases (diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa). However, many infectious diseases (Lyme disease, AIDS, etc.) can cause a body or body part to degenerate, and infective organisms play a part in some degenerative diseases. Some degenerative diseases can be controlled; some can even be cured. But no one has yet discovered a way to reverse such degenerative conditions as multiple sclerosis, emphysema, or Alzheimer's.

Examples of degenerative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Closing thoughts on the Atlantic diet The Atlantic diet can offer huge improvements to your health and well-being, including reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, degenerative disease and proliferative disease. Christian Mysliwiec, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2024 These include studying the effects of microgravity and UV radiation on plants, using stem cells to create models to study degenerative disease and testing whether wearing pressure cuffs on the legs could prevent fluid shifts and reduce health problems in astronauts. Russell Lewis, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 By the time of that induction, Ronstadt had retired, unable to sing due to progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative disease originally misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 2 Feb. 2024 Doctors initially doubted whether Hill would be able to walk normally due to degenerative spinal disease. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2024 Moreover, Cats Protection worried that more Scottish Folds will be bred to meet demand generated by the film, which would be bad because the breed tends towards serious degenerative joint disease. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2024 The initial aim is to help someone who has had a stroke or who has a motor degenerative disease like ALS or other physical problems communicate directly through the implant to an outside device like a phone, tablet or computer. Jen Christensen, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024 However, this sloped appearance can lead to issues with their hips such as degenerative myelopathy — a condition that begins with weakness in limbs and can progress to paralysis of both hind legs. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2023 Then he was diagnosed with degenerative hip osteoarthritis during spring training of 2001 and never played again. Chuck Murr, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of degenerative was circa 1846

Dictionary Entries Near degenerative

Cite this Entry

“Degenerative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degenerative. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

degenerative

adjective
de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv How to pronounce degenerative (audio)
-ˈjen-(ə-)rət-iv
: of, relating to, or tending to cause degeneration
a degenerative disease

Medical Definition

degenerative

adjective
de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv How to pronounce degenerative (audio) -ˈjen-(ə-)rət- How to pronounce degenerative (audio)
: of, relating to, involving, or tending to cause degeneration
degenerative conditions of the nervous systemMorris Fishbein
degenerative changes
a degenerative muscle disorder

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