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

Maggie and Mike were the youngest of six children, and Mike was born with cerebral palsy. — Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Wilson was arrested after the Gadsden Police Department (GPD) was alerted to the natural death of Wilson’s daughter, who had cerebral palsy. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2026

The child developed spastic cerebral palsy and was believed to have cerebral visual impairment. — Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

The 57-year-old has cerebral palsy, affecting his movement and ability to speak. — Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 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