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

The rock star has rarely been seen out since being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019 and amid other health struggles. —Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024

Jeff Carter, the youngest of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter's three sons, has been quietly navigating life with Parkinson's disease. —Kyler Alvord, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024

At 67, legendary Detroit Tigers outfielder Kirk Gibson now faces his biggest opponent in the game of life — Parkinson's disease. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 1 Oct. 2024

These include migraines, UTIs, neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

James Parkinson †1824 English physician

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

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