cerebral palsy

noun

: a disability resulting from damage to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth and outwardly manifested by muscular incoordination and speech disturbances

cerebral-palsied

sə-ˈrē-brəl-ˈpȯl-zēd 

ˈser-ə-, 

ˈse-rə-

adjective

Examples of cerebral palsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Months later, at around 8 months old, she was diagnosed with left hemiparesis, which is a partial paralysis on one side of the body, and cerebral palsy. —Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026

Despite normal EEGs and other reports from Cook Children’s hospital, Laura wrote in posts in late May 2025 that her son had seizures cerebral palsy, a mitochondrial disorder, autism and developmental delays, the affidavit states. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026

Babies who survive may experience breathing and feeding difficulties, cerebral palsy, developmental delays and vision or hearing problems. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026

Lifelong impairments like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, blindness, deafness, autism, and ADHD, as well as severe chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease, are covered. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cerebral palsy

noun

: a disease resulting from damage to the brain usually before or during birth and resulting in imperfect control of muscles, paralysis, and speech disturbances

Medical Definition

cerebral palsy

noun

: a disability resulting from damage to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth and outwardly manifested by muscular incoordination and speech disturbances see ataxic cerebral palsy, athetoid cerebral palsy, spastic cerebral palsy

cerebral palsied adjective