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Synonyms

degeneration

American  
[dih-jen-uh-rey-shuhn] / dɪˌdʒɛn əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the process of degenerating.

  2. the condition or state of being degenerate.

  3. Pathology.

    1. a process by which a tissue deteriorates, loses functional activity, and may become converted into or replaced by other kinds of tissue.

    2. the condition produced by such a process.


degeneration British  
/ dɪˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən /

noun

  1. the process of degenerating

  2. the state of being degenerate

  3. biology the loss of specialization, function, or structure by organisms and their parts, as in the development of vestigial organs

    1. impairment or loss of the function and structure of cells or tissues, as by disease or injury, often leading to death (necrosis) of the involved part

    2. the resulting condition

  4. electronics negative feedback of a signal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nondegeneration noun

Etymology

Origin of degeneration

First recorded in 1475–85, degeneration is from the Late Latin word dēgenerātiōn- (stem of dēgenerātiō ). See de-, generation

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.

Apellis has two approved drugs: Empaveli, which is approved to treat two rare kidney diseases, and Syforvre, which is used by patients with geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration.

From MarketWatch

To explore this further, the research team used three mouse models that replicate common causes of spinal degeneration: natural aging, surgically induced mechanical instability, and genetic susceptibility.

From Science Daily

Using a well-established fruit fly model, the research team discovered that a neuron's resistance to degeneration is closely tied to how it processes sugar.

From Science Daily

"Stem cell-derived retinal implants may offer one of the greatest possibilities for helping patients with dry age-related macular degeneration and one day, may offer a cure."

From Science Daily

She has macular degeneration and is considered legally blind, though she has been able to function at home.

From MarketWatch