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

Ozzy died in July 2025 at the age of 76 following a battle with Parkinson's disease. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 23 June 2026

Although there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, treatment options include medications, lifestyle changes and surgery, the Parkinson's Foundation explains. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 22 June 2026

That includes people dealing with stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and other serious conditions. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026

She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years ago, a neurological disorder that damages brain cells, leading to symptoms like uncontrollable movements, tremors, and balance issues. — Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

James Parkinson †1824 English physician

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Parkinson's disease

• ferromanganese
• mephistopheles
• abcs
• absentees
• addressees
• adoptees
• allottees
• amputees
• antifreeze
• appellees
• appointees
• arrestees

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