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atrophy
noun
at·ro·phy
| \ ˈa-trə-fē
\
\
plural atrophies
Definition of atrophy
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue
atrophy of muscles
also
: arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant
2
: a wasting away or progressive decline
It was not a solitude of atrophy, of negation, but of perpetual flowering.— Willa Cather an atrophy of imagination
atrophy
verb
at·ro·phy
| \ ˈa-trə-fē
, -ˌfī
\
, -ˌfī
\
atrophied;
atrophying;
atrophies
Definition of atrophy (Entry 2 of 2)
: to waste away (as from disease or disuse) : to undergo atrophy
Extended periods of weightlessness resulted in body fluids pooling in the upper torso, causing changes in how the heart pumped blood. In addition, muscles began to atrophy, bones lost calcium and mass …— Warren E. Leary Because of an incomplete spine, only one nerve serviced her legs, causing them to atrophy.— Ada Brownell Communion with nature strengthens both body and soul; isolation from nature causes both to atrophy.— Mark Purcell
also
: to cause (something) to waste away or undergo atrophy
When reform becomes too theological, it atrophies some forces even while it galvanizes others. — John C. Culver
— see also atrophied
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Other Words from atrophy
Noun
atrophic
\ (ˌ)ā-ˈtrō-fik
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of atrophy in a Sentence
Noun
The doctor is concerned about possible atrophy of the shoulder muscles.Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Ben has Type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, which slows development in childhood, and prevents people from being able to walk. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "MDA muscle walk celebrates progress, but much work remains ahead," 7 Sep. 2019 When Novartis announced that Zolgensma, its gene therapy treatment that can halt the progression of spinal muscular atrophy in babies, would cost $2.1 million, the company offered a pay-over-time plan. — New York Times, "The $6 Million Drug Claim," 25 Aug. 2019 These impulses are born in the dark corners of political dysfunction, in an atmosphere of complete atrophy of responsibility that has turned into an organic disease. — Anatoly Chernyaev, Harper's magazine, "Cogs of War," 19 Aug. 2019 Approved the year before, Spinraza was the first treatment for spinal muscular atrophy. — Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, "Easton toddler denied $2.1m gene therapy will now get it for free," 12 Aug. 2019 The Food and Drug Administration said the new drug, which works by replacing the defective gene that causes Daryn’s spinal muscular atrophy with a good one, must be administered by age 2. — Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, "‘There’s a lot of screaming into the void:’ Toddler’s parents battle for coverage of $2.1 million gene therapy," 10 July 2019 Its latest product to be approved, a treatment for the rare spinal muscular atrophy, got out to a promising start on the market but has since flattened. — Damian Garde, STAT, "As Biogen turns 40, biotech worries the glory days may be over," 2 May 2018 The Food and Drug Administration approved Zolgensma in May and said it could be given to most children under 2 with spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA. — Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, "High fives and sobs greet UnitedHealthcare’s reversal of denials for child gene therapy," 18 July 2019 The gene therapy Zolgensma was given the green light by the FDA in May at the price of $2.125 million for a one-time treatment for children with a severe form of spinal muscular atrophy, a leading genetic cause of infant mortality. — Kate Gibson, CBS News, "World's priciest drug approved after "data manipulation," FDA alleges," 6 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atrophy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for atrophy
atrophy
noun
English Language Learners Definition of atrophy
(Entry 1 of 2)
medical
: gradual loss of muscle or flesh usually because of disease or lack of use
atrophy
verb
English Language Learners Definition of atrophy (Entry 2 of 2)
medical
: to become weak from lack of use : to suffer from atrophy
See the full definition for atrophy in the English Language Learners Dictionary
atrophy
noun
at·ro·phy
| \ ˈa-trə-fē
\
\
plural atrophies
Medical Definition of atrophy
(Entry 1 of 2)
: decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue
also
: arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant
atrophy
verb
\ ˈa-trə-fē
, -ˌfī
\
, -ˌfī
\
atrophied;
atrophying
Medical Definition of atrophy (Entry 2 of 2)