epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈe-pə-ˌlep-sē 

plural epilepsies

: any of various disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions

Examples of epilepsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The results suggest that drugs developed for epilepsy may also hold potential for autism. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025

For patients with chronic pain, or with growing symptoms from Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy, their doctors will have to put compliance before care. —Naveen Rao, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Mutations in this gene can lead to epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, ALS and balance problems. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025

The first is that migraine is primarily an abnormality of the blood vessels; the second is that migraine comes from the brain itself, like epilepsy. —Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English epilencie, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French epelempsie, modification of Late Latin epilepsia, from Greek epilēpsia, from epilambanein to seize, from epi- + lambanein to take, seize — more at latch

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing epilepsy

• anti-epilepsy
• grand mal epilepsy

Rhymes for epilepsy

• catalepsy
• narcolepsy

Kids Definition

epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈep-ə-ˌlep-sē 

: a disorder marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, by attacks of convulsions, and by loss of consciousness

Medical Definition

epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈep-ə-ˌlep-sē 

plural epilepsies

: any of various disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions see absence epilepsy, grand mal sense 1, petit mal sense 1 focal epilepsy, jacksonian epilepsy, myoclonic epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy