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

In addition, he was reported to have a bedridden son born with cerebral palsy. —Josh Klein, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025

Anthony Mitchell and Justin Mitchell Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee who used a wheelchair, and his son Justin, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, died in the Eaton fire, according to Anthony’s daughter Hajime White. —David Chiu, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025

Anthony and Justin Mitchell Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee, and his son, Justin, who has cerebral palsy, died in the fire in Altadena. —Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2025

Among them was the plight of Marie Freyre, a 14-year-old afflicted with cerebral palsy and seizures who died within 24 hours of a long, bumpy ride from a Tampa hospital to the Golden Glades nursing home, ordered despite objections from her family. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025

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