Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- How to pronounce Parkinson's disease (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The justices said the firefighter, who left the force due to Parkinson's disease, could not sue her former employer for reducing health care benefits for disabled retirees. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 5 July 2025 Following his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease in the '90s, Fox has dedicated himself to advocacy and raising funds for research. Jonathon Dornbush, EW.com, 3 July 2025 Influential Nashville guitarist Mac Gayden passed away from Parkinson's disease complications on April 16, 2025. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Senate Bill 27, which establishes committees and additional research concerning Parkinson's disease. Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for Parkinson's disease

Word History

Etymology

James Parkinson †1824 English physician

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Parkinson's disease was in 1877

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Cite this Entry

“Parkinson's disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Parkinson%27s%20disease. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

Parkinson's disease

noun
Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- How to pronounce Parkinson's disease (audio)
: 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- How to pronounce Parkinson's disease (audio)
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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