dystrophy
Americannoun
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Medicine/Medical. faulty or inadequate nutrition or development.
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Pathology. any of a number of disorders characterized by weakening, degeneration, or abnormal development of muscle.
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Ecology. the state of being dystrophic.
noun
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any of various bodily disorders, characterized by wasting of tissues See also muscular dystrophy
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ecology a condition of lake water when it is too acidic and poor in oxygen to support life, resulting from excessive humus content
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of dystrophy
From the New Latin word dystrophia, dating back to 1885–90. See dys-, -trophy
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.
The 36-year-old, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, says he was told "from the beginning" that he is medically fit to go home.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
Sarcopenia is a form of muscular dystrophy associated with aging and is a popular condition for biotech companies that harbor greater goals of reversing or slowing aging to target.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
The biopharma company reported its first clinical results from two programs for different types of muscular dystrophy.
From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026
These conditions account for roughly 10% of inherited diseases, including cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026
There were tiny babies with club feet, children who had paralyzed limbs from polio, adolescents dying from muscular dystrophy.
From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall
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.
