# sclerosis

/skɫɝˈoʊsəs/ (US) · /skləɹˈəʊsɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sclerosis
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. medical hardening of tissue

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a medical condition where body tissues, like nerves or arteries, become hard and stop working correctly.

For teachers: the abnormal hardening of body tissues, typically resulting from inflammation, mineral deposits, or the overgrowth of fibrous tissue.

- Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system.
- The autopsy revealed advanced arterial sclerosis, which the pathologist identified as the primary cause of the patient's chronic circulatory issues.

Usage: Often used in specific medical names like 'multiple sclerosis' or 'amyotrophic lateral sclerosis'.

### 2. resistance to change

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

a situation where a system, government, or company becomes too slow and stiff to change or improve.

For teachers: a state of institutional or social rigidity characterized by an inability to innovate or adapt to new circumstances.

- The professor argued that political sclerosis was preventing the country from fixing its economy.
- Economists often warn that bureaucratic sclerosis can stifle national growth by creating excessive hurdles for new businesses and technological innovation.

Teaching tip: This is a metaphorical use of the medical term; it is common in high-level political and economic commentary.

## Examples

- The doctor explained how sclerosis affects the nervous system.
- The company suffered from a kind of institutional sclerosis that made it impossible to launch new products quickly.
- While the medical team focused on treating the physical sclerosis of the patient's arteries, the social worker addressed the bureaucratic sclerosis preventing the family from accessing necessary benefits.

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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.