Babinski reflex

noun

Ba·​bin·​ski reflex bə-ˈbin(t)-skē- 

variants or Babinski sign or less commonly Babinski's reflex

bə-ˈbin(t)-skēz- 

or Babinski's sign

: a reflex movement in which when the sole is tickled the big toe turns upward instead of downward and which is normal in infancy but indicates damage to the central nervous system (as in the pyramidal tracts) later in life

Examples of Babinski reflex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Martinez never could have imagined that her daughter’s lack of Babinski reflex would be the first and only sign of cancer. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

J. F. F. Babinski †1932 French neurologist

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Babinski reflex

noun

Ba·​bin·​ski reflex bə-ˌbin-skē- 

variants or Babinski sign or Babinski's reflex

-skēz- 

or Babinski's sign also Babinski

: a reflex movement in which when the sole is tickled the big toe turns upward instead of downward and which is normal in infancy but indicates damage to the central nervous system (as in the pyramidal tracts) when occurring later in life compare plantar reflex