degenerative
Americanadjective
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012Other Word Forms
- nondegenerative adjective
- undegenerative adjective
Etymology
Origin of degenerative
First recorded in 1840–50; degenerate + -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As human cells grow older or are harmed by degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, or by exposure to harmful agents like chemotherapy drugs, their ability to generate energy steadily drops.
From Science Daily
Amirault, 34, said she has dealt for years with chronic pain from health conditions such as sciatica, degenerative disc disease, and avascular necrosis, which results from restricted blood supply to the bones.
From Salon
In April, Lewis revealed that he has been living with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative brain disorder.
From Los Angeles Times
Recent research found that former professional players are three-and-a-half times more likely to die of degenerative brain disease.
From BBC
“Unfortunately in people who throw, that ligament can develop degenerative changes over time and can eventually tear,” Dr. Bowman said.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
