hypertrophy

1 of 2

noun

hy·​per·​tro·​phy hī-ˈpər-trə-fē How to pronounce hypertrophy (audio)
plural hypertrophies
1
biology : excessive development of an organ or part
specifically : increase in bulk (as by thickening of muscle fibers) without multiplication of parts
cardiac hypertrophy
2
: exaggerated growth or complexity
economic hypertrophy
hypertrophic adjective

hypertrophy

2 of 2

verb

hypertrophied; hypertrophying

intransitive verb

: to undergo hypertrophy (see hypertrophy entry 1)
A healthy kidney hypertrophies when the other fails.
hypertrophied nationalism

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Breaking Down Hypertrophy

When the prefix hyper-, "above, beyond", is joined to -trophy, we get the opposite of atrophy. An organ or part becomes hypertrophic when it grows so extremely that its function is affected. Muscle hypertrophy is common in men who do strength training, and is often harmless; but extreme muscle hypertrophy generally involves taking steroids, which can do great damage to the body. Hypertrophy of the heart sounds as if it might be healthy, but instead it's usually a bad sign. Hypertrophy, like atrophy, can be used in nonmedical ways as well to describe something with exaggerated growth or complexity.

Examples of hypertrophy 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.
Noun
Priem, a grip for the Fox procedural, died on May 11 of sudden cardiac dysfunction and cardiomegaly with left ventricular hypertrophy, according to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, which released his autopsy results this week. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2024 Per Deadline, Priem had cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart) with left ventricle hypertrophy. Keisha Hatchett, TVLine, 19 June 2024
Verb
How to transition from strength to hypertrophy training? Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2022 Plus, of course, using weights as resistance helps to increase muscle activation and stabilization, leading to overload and hypertrophy. Jeff Tomko, Men's Health, 10 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for hypertrophy 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

probably from New Latin hypertrophia, from hyper- + -trophia -trophy

First Known Use

Noun

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypertrophy was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near hypertrophy

Cite this Entry

“Hypertrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypertrophy. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

hypertrophy

1 of 2 noun
hy·​per·​tro·​phy hī-ˈpər-trə-fē How to pronounce hypertrophy (audio)
plural hypertrophies
: excessive development of an organ or part
specifically : increase in bulk (as by thickening of muscle fibers) without multiplication of parts
ventricular hypertrophy

hypertrophy

2 of 2 intransitive verb
hypertrophied; hypertrophying
: to undergo hypertrophy

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