atherosclerosis

noun

ath·​ero·​scle·​ro·​sis ˌa-thə-ˌrō-sklə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce atherosclerosis (audio)
: an arteriosclerosis characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries
atherosclerotic adjective

Examples of atherosclerosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The office lists his causes of death as acute myocardial infarction, effects of smoke inhalation, thermal injuries, and coronary artery atherosclerosis. Ray Sanchez, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025 Eating garlic may help reduce heart disease risk by decreasing atherosclerosis. Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 Dec. 2024 In heart disease, arteries that feed the heart muscle progressively clog up (atherosclerosis). Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 3 Oct. 2024 The ghost explains that for the past 30 years John has been punishing his arteries with lousy food choices, resulting in the beginning stages of atherosclerosis — clogging of his arteries. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for atherosclerosis 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of atherosclerosis was in 1910

Dictionary Entries Near atherosclerosis

Cite this Entry

“Atherosclerosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atherosclerosis. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

atherosclerosis

noun
ath·​ero·​scle·​ro·​sis ˌath-ə-rō-sklə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce atherosclerosis (audio)
: hardening and thickening of the walls of arteries due to deposit of fatty substances in the inner layer

Medical Definition

atherosclerosis

noun
ath·​ero·​scle·​ro·​sis ˌath-ə-rō-sklə-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce atherosclerosis (audio)
plural atheroscleroses -ˌsēz How to pronounce atherosclerosis (audio)
: an arteriosclerosis characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries
atherosclerotic adjective
atherosclerotically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on atherosclerosis

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