Do you know anyone with MS, or has anyone ever asked you to use the title Ms. for them? Read on to learn about the varied meanings of MS.

The abbreviation and acronym MS can be used in several ways. Keep reading to learn all about MS.

What Does MS Stand For?

MS has two most common meanings: multiple sclerosis and Ms., which is a title.

Multiple Sclerosis

Medical News Today states that MS most often stands for multiple sclerosis, which is a chronic disease and autoimmune disorder. MS affects the central nervous system which includes the spinal cord, brain, and optic nerves, leading to an effect on the whole body over the course of the disease.

When someone has MS, their immune system attacks what is called the myelin sheath, a protective coating for nerve fibers. This creates scar tissue throughout the nerves in the body, also known as lesions or plaques.

The most common symptoms of MS include:

Numbness
Tingling
Muscle weakness
Bladder and bowel problems
Lhermitte’s sign
Fatigue
Vertigo
Dizziness
Muscle spasms
Tremors
Vision problems
Sexual dysfunction
depression and emotional change
Pain
A lack of coordination or change in gait
Memory problems

There is no cure for MS, but there are many therapies that people can use, including steroids and electrical signals to reduce inflammation. The causes of this autoimmune disease are dependent on many risk factors like age, gender, and genetics.

Viruses like the Epstein-Barr virus and infections like infectious mononucleosis have also been linked to MS.

Types of MS

There are four types of MS.

First, Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is a single episode in which symptoms last 24 hours or more.

Next is the most common type of MS, Relapse-remitting MS (RRMS), which has periods of symptoms and periods of remission.

The last two types of MS are Primary progressive MS (PPMS) and Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS).

With PPMS, there are no remissions or relapses, and the symptoms of MS progressively worsen. With SPMS, people experience remissions and relapses in the early stages, and then the disease progresses.

Ms. as a Title

Dictionary states that Ms. can also be used as a title of respect for a woman that does not indicate marital status can be used regardless of marital status. The pronunciation of Ms. is ˈmɪz. Other titles for women include Miss, which refers to an unmarried woman, and Mrs., which refers to a married woman.

This term began to be used before a woman’s name in the 50s when her marital status was unknown but became widely used in the 1970s with the advent of the women’s rights movement. This term can also be used as a mock surname for an attribute a person has, like “Miss Independant.”

Someone who uses gender neutral pronouns might prefer the title Mx. You might see these title preferences in professional settings or on wedding invitations.

What Are Other Meanings of MS?

The Free Dictionary lists many other meanings of MS.

Meanings of MS in Technology

MS can stand for a variety of things in technology.

Measurement Signal
Mass Storage
Merge Specification
Mobile Station
Module Signaling
Microwave Switch (electromechanics)
Message Switch
Multiplex Section
Microprocessor System (AT&T)
Manual Sweep (Agilent)
Monitoring System
Memory System
Maintenance Standard
Microwave Subsystem
Mobility Solutions (Lucent)
Music/Speech (broadcasting)
Mail Store
Mass Shareware
Manual Switch
Message Store
Memory Stick
Mirrored System
Mobile Subscriber
Main Satellite
Media Server
Microsoft
Minimal Subtraction
Millisecond
Monitored Seconds
Management Services
Mail Server
Memoserv (IRC Memo Server)
Meta Signaling
Medical Solutions (various organizations)
MySpace
Message System

Meanings of MS in Science

In science, MS can mean many things!

Microwave System
Medical Surgical
Magnetic Storage
Motor Signal
Microwave Sensor
Memory Store (calculator button)
Motorschiff (German: motor vessel)
Main Steam (valve in nuclear submarine)
Metabolic Syndrome
Markov Switching
Multiple Elastic Scattering
Mean Square
Multidimensional Scaling
Management Science
Medium Steel
Mass Spectroscopy
Mission Specialist
Mantissa Sign
Mega Second (1,000,000 seconds)
Medical Services
Machine Screw
Medical Student
Mammal Society
Mechanics Service
Matrix Spike
Manganese Steel
Mission Schedule
Murashige and Skoog (basal medium)
Master of Science (degree)
Multi-Spectral
Morphine Sulfate
Male Sterile
Medical Service Corps
Mild Steel
Mildly Susceptible
Musculo-Skeletal
Mucosal-to-Serosal
Milksolids

Meanings of MS in Business

In the business world, MS has numerous meanings.

Multilateral Staff
Michigan Southern Railway
Music Scholar (Eton College)
Mitsubishi Steel (Japan)
Member State
Mystery Shopping
Mara Salvatrucha (gang)
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Master Smith (bladesmithing)
Monitor Statistica
Morneau Sobeco
Market Survey
Market Share
Major System
Motor Saw
Master Sommelier
Meets Standards (school grading system)
Morane-Saulnier
Mild Severe (British rock climbing grade)
Meritorious Service (award)
Morgan Stanley (investment bank)
Mariners (Seattle baseball team)
Member States (EU)
MaleSurvisor
Medical Superintendent
Marking Scheme (examinations)
Manufacturing Specialist

Meanings of MS in Government

Government workers use MS as an abbreviation for several things.

Maintenance Shop
Maintenance Shelter
Master Seaman (Canadian Forces naval rank)
Man System (CASI)
Minimum Stockage
Medium Speed
Mobility Support
Missile Station (linear measurement reference to key points on a missile)
Mandatory Supervision (type of parole)
Minesweeper
Mess Management Specialist (US Navy rating)
Milestone
Mission Scanner
Master Schedule
Merchant Shipping
Egyptair (IATA airline code)
Massa, Toscana (Italian province)
Marine Safety
Mode Select
Military Shipping
Military Science
Mobilization Station

Meanings of MS as Slang Terms

You might hear MS used as slang for any one of the below!

MotorStorm (gaming)
Mad Scientist
Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park band member)
Maggie Simpson
Master Shake (cartoon character)
Magical Sword (Legend of Zelda game)
Midnight Spin (band)
Manta Sonica (band)
Marge Simpson
Mint State (highest quality of coin)
Mario Sunshine (video game)
Martin Scorsese (film director)
Magestorm (game)
Matched Set (philately)
Michele Soavi (film director)
Marus Seru (Everquest)
Michael Schumacher (F1 driver)
Maple Sea (Maple Story gaming)
Modifi Sci (Indie rap group)
Maple Story (computer game)
Master Sword (Legend of Zelda Game)
Metal Sonic (gaming character)
Mobile Suit (Gundam World)
Michael Shanks (actor)
Metal Slug (game)

Conclusion

Most often, MS stands for multiple sclerosis or is used as the title Ms. The title Ms. is a respectful title for a woman that does not indicate if she is married or not.

Sources:

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

The Meaning of MS: What It Is and How To Use It

Your writing, at its best