1. a disorder in which an organ or tissue of the body wastes away or fails to develop normally, often due to disease or lack of use
Usage: medical term; commonly used in medical and scientific contexts
2. a hereditary disease characterized by progressive weakening and wasting of muscles
Usage: medical term; often used in reference to muscular dystrophy

Examples

• Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness.
• Without proper exercise, muscles can undergo dystrophy and lose their strength.
• The patient was diagnosed with a form of dystrophy affecting the heart muscle.
• Dystrophy of the retina can lead to vision loss over time.
• Physical therapy helps slow the progression of dystrophy in some patients.
• The disease causes dystrophy of tissues throughout the body.