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 How to pronounce cerebral palsy (audio)
ˈser-ə-
ˈse-rə-
adjective

Examples of cerebral palsy 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.
Shelley Sykes, a TV production entrepreneur, told Australian media of a desperate battle to save her 32-year-old son Rory Sykes, who had cerebral palsy. Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025 Mitchell and his adult son Justin, who had cerebral palsy, lived together, White told the newspaper. Ray Sanchez, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025 Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee, was alone in his Altadena home with his son, Justin Mitchell, who has cerebral palsy. Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025 Directed by Yang Lina, the drama about a young man with cerebral palsy and his relationship with his grandmother continues to resonate with audiences into its third week. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cerebral palsy 

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cerebral palsy was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near cerebral palsy

Cite this Entry

“Cerebral palsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cerebral%20palsy. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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