# ALS

/ˈæɫz/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/als
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. medical condition

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

Stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It is a serious disease that affects the nerves and muscles in the body.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control.

- The Ice Bucket Challenge helped raise millions of dollars for ALS research.
- The patient was diagnosed with ALS after experiencing persistent muscle weakness and difficulty swallowing, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach to care.

Usage: Often used with the definite article 'the' in general contexts, though omitted in medical shorthand.

Teaching tip: In the UK and Australia, this condition is more commonly referred to as Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

### 2. education system

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

Stands for Alternative Learning System. It is a program that provides education to people who cannot attend regular schools.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Alternative Learning System. A parallel learning system that provides a practical option to existing formal instruction.

- He finished his high school education through the ALS program while working a full-time job.
- The government expanded the ALS initiative to reach out-of-school youth in remote provinces who lacked access to traditional secondary education.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of Philippine education policy.

### 3. aviation lighting

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

Stands for Approach Lighting System. These are the bright lights on a runway that help pilots land safely at night or in bad weather.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Approach Lighting System. A configuration of signal lights starting at the landing threshold and extending into the approach area.

- The pilot looked for the ALS to guide the plane onto the runway during the heavy rain.
- The airport upgraded its ALS to Category II standards to allow for safer landings during periods of extremely low visibility.

### 4. electronics sensor

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

Stands for Ambient Light Sensor. It is a small part in a phone or computer that changes the screen brightness based on the light around you.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Ambient Light Sensor. A component that detects the amount of light in the environment to adjust display backlight intensity.

- The ALS on my phone automatically dims the screen when I enter a dark room.
- The tablet's ALS failed to calibrate correctly, resulting in a display that remained at maximum brightness even in total darkness.

## Examples

- ALS affects the nerves that control movement.
- The doctor explained that ALS slowly weakens the muscles needed for walking and speaking.
- Despite advances in neurology, ALS remains a devastating condition with no known cure, requiring comprehensive palliative care as the disease progresses.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.