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 How to pronounce cerebral palsy (audio)
ˈser-ə-
ˈse-rə-
adjective

Examples of cerebral palsy 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.
As revealed in a recent episode of 60 Minutes, in one case the agency sent a clawback letter to a 32-year-old man, living on Social Security and disabled by cerebral palsy. John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Throughout the Fellowship, Zach & Josh will develop their feature film The Handler, an expectation-subverting action thriller that follows a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy who is also the world’s deadliest assassin. Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 June 2025 The district partnered with Total Recreation Products for a $1 million playground renovation after a Curtis Elementary student with cerebral palsy was unable to play on the playground, according to Soliant. Samara Gerstle, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2025 The idea for the Super Flipper came from Nolan after being inspired by his uncle Paul, who has cerebral palsy. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for cerebral palsy

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cerebral palsy was in 1824

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cerebral palsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cerebral%20palsy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!