Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- 

variants or less commonly Parkinson disease or Parkinson's or Parkinson's syndrome

: a chronic progressive neurological disease chiefly of later life that is linked to decreased dopamine production in the substantia nigra and is marked especially by tremor of resting muscles, rigidity, slowness of movement, impaired balance, and a shuffling gait

called also paralysis agitans

Examples of Parkinson's disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Parkinson's Disease Dance has been used as a type of therapy for people who have Parkinson's disease, which is a degenerative movement disorder that causes tremors, stiffness while walking, and slowed movements.2 2. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 7 Dec. 2024

Adolph and Rita's daughter, Carol Alejandro, told the outlet that her mom had been in a hospice for her final years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease for about 10 years. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024

This process, called neurodegeneration, can lead to memory loss and other symptoms of cognitive decline, as well as conditions like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. —Barbie Cervoni, Health, 23 Nov. 2024

There are a variety of reasons Fox wouldn’t participate in a reboot, with his Parkinson's disease being a big factor in that decision. —Sara Belcher, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

James Parkinson †1824 English physician

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- 

: a disease chiefly of later life that tends to get steadily worse and is marked especially by stiff and trembling muscles, slowness of movement, and a shuffling way of walking

Medical Definition

Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- 

variants also Parkinson disease

-sən-

or Parkinson's

: a chronic progressive neurological disease chiefly of later life that is linked to decreased dopamine production in the substantia nigra, is of unknown cause, and is marked especially by tremor of resting muscles, rigidity, slowness of movement, impaired balance, and a shuffling gait

called also paralysis agitans, parkinsonian syndrome, parkinsonism, Parkinson's syndrome