cerebral palsy

noun

: a disability resulting from damage to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth and outwardly manifested by muscular incoordination and speech disturbances

cerebral-palsied

sə-ˈrē-brəl-ˈpȯl-zēd 

ˈser-ə-

ˈse-rə-

adjective

Examples of cerebral palsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alexis Smith has decided that being diagnosed with cerebral palsy will not get in the way of her goal to become a journalist. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 11 July 2024

Generally, a developmental coordination disorder (DCD) diagnosis means that the symptoms are not part of a neurodevelopmental condition affecting the brain structure, such as cerebral palsy or neurofibromatosis. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024

Johnson, who has cerebral palsy, cannot speak or take care of himself. —Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 20 June 2024

Derrick had experienced multiple seizures as an infant, and had subsequently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. —Lindsay Lee Wallace, TIME, 17 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cerebral palsy

noun

: a disease resulting from damage to the brain usually before or during birth and resulting in imperfect control of muscles, paralysis, and speech disturbances

Medical Definition

cerebral palsy

noun

: a disability resulting from damage to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth and outwardly manifested by muscular incoordination and speech disturbances see ataxic cerebral palsy, athetoid cerebral palsy, spastic cerebral palsy

cerebral palsied adjective