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

As a result, many neurodevelopmental disorders such as severe epilepsy can occur. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025

Gideon has 42 diagnoses, including deafness, blindness, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy. —Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025

Sandra Hüller plays Anneliese Michel, a German woman with epilepsy who is believed to be possessed by multiple demons before her tragic death in 1976. —Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025

In 18th century Europe, trepanation was used to treat mental illness and epilepsy. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 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