hypoplasia

noun

hy·​po·​pla·​sia ˌhī-pō-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce hypoplasia (audio)
: a condition of arrested development in which an organ or part remains below the normal size or in an immature state
hypoplastic adjective

Examples of hypoplasia 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.
For example, some people might be born with an extra lobe, while others might have hypoplasia, meaning a section is small. Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 5 Sep. 2024 Troyer had cartilage-hair hypoplasia, which inhibited his growth and contributed to his diminutive height. The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024 Four of the five kittens have cerebellar hypoplasia, or wobbly cat syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes balance and coordination issues in cats. The Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2024 Four of the cats, Pistachio, Sherbet, Rocky Road and Chunky Monkey – the only one without cerebellar hypoplasia – have been adopted locally. The Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2024 The Lake Elsinore, California, native was born with optic nerve hypoplasia and diagnosed with autism at age 4. Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024 Riddle arrived after a difficult birth and was later determined to have cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological condition that affects his mobility and coordination. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 11 Jan. 2024 He was born with a condition called renal hypoplasia, which prevented his own kidneys from fully developing. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023 Lee was born with optic nerve hypoplasia and underwent a life-saving operation at just 5 days old. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 18 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypoplasia was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near hypoplasia

Cite this Entry

“Hypoplasia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypoplasia. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

hypoplasia

noun
hy·​po·​pla·​sia -ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce hypoplasia (audio)
: a condition of arrested development in which an organ or part remains below the normal size or in an immature state
hypoplastic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hypoplasia

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!