macular degeneration

noun

: progressive deterioration of the macula resulting in a gradual loss of the central part of the visual field
especially : age-related macular degeneration

Examples of macular degeneration 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.
Lutein and vitamin A are key nutrients that support eye health and decrease the risk of macular degeneration. — Pamela Assid Woughter, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2026 Dench was first diagnosed in 2012 with macular degeneration, a retinal disease that erodes one’s central vision and is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in people over 65. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026 Sun exposure may contribute not only to cataracts and macular degeneration, but also to cancers of the eyelid, Lazzaro said. — Angelica Stabile , Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 The manufacturers make drugs that target conditions such as glaucoma, hemophilia, liver disease, macular degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, skin conditions and some types of cancer. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for macular degeneration

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of macular degeneration was in 1902

Rhymes for macular degeneration

See All Rhymes for macular degeneration

Browse Nearby Words

macula lutea
macular degeneration
maculate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Macular degeneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macular%20degeneration. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

macular degeneration

noun
: progressive deterioration of the macula of the eye resulting in a gradual loss of the central part of the visual field
especially : age-related macular degeneration

More from Merriam-Webster on macular degeneration

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about macular degeneration

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of wraith

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All