acromegaly

American  

[ak-ruh-meg-uh-lee] / ˌæk rəˈmɛg ə li /

noun

Pathology.

1. a chronic disease characterized by enlargement of the bones of the head, the soft parts of the feet and hands, and sometimes other structures, due to excessive secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland.

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acromegaly British  

/ ˌækrəʊˈmɛɡəlɪ, ˌækrəʊmɪˈɡælɪk /

noun

1. a chronic disease characterized by enlargement of the bones of the head, hands, and feet, and swelling and enlargement of soft tissue, esp the tongue. It is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland Compare gigantism

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• acromegalic
  adjective
• pseudoacromegaly
  noun

Etymology

Origin of acromegaly

1885–90; < French acromégalie < New Latin acromegalia. See acro-, -megaly

Compare meaning

How does acromegaly compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• acromegaly vs. gigantism

Example Sentences

If untreated, acromegaly can lead to serious health problems and shorten life expectancy by about 10 years.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2026

Today, about several hundred people with acromegaly live in County Tyrone.

From Washington Post • Jan. 24, 2023

Since then, scientists who have studied his skeleton have determined that he had a tumor that caused acromegaly and gigantism, conditions in which the body produces too much growth hormone.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2023

According to his profile on the International Paralympic Committee website, he was diagnosed with acromegaly when he was younger.

From Fox News • Sep. 1, 2021

Its enlargement is attended by giantism and another curious giant disease in which the hands, feet, and jaws enlarge enormously, known as acromegaly.

From Preventable Diseases by Hutchinson, Woods