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

That doesn’t mean a treatment is ineffective for younger patients, said Marupudi, who is not Cambrie’s doctor but has treated epilepsy in children using deep brain stimulation. —Marina Kopf, NBC news, 27 May 2026

Amy Morris' 17-year-old son, Keagan Rex, died five months earlier due to complications from epilepsy, local news outlet Fox 2 Now reported. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026

Over the years, Lucia amassed a long list of diagnoses, including epilepsy, lupus, fibromyalgia, ADHD and dyslexia. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 23 May 2026

Divided into themes of grief, fear, hope, joy, and sadness, contributing multimedia artists selected with the curator and artist Yaara Sachs from an open call, are presenting works about subjects ranging from epilepsy, PTSD, and homelessness. —Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 22 May 2026

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