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 The goal is to help people who cannot speak because of strokes or conditions like cerebral palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Pam Belluck, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2023 The 27-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, attended a program in Hudson that merged with another in Billerica just before the pandemic, said his mother, Kelly Sutton, 52, of Natick. Jason Laughlin, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2023 Earlier this year, Nichols, who has cerebral palsy, featured an exhibition of photographs highlighting people who live with physical disabilities. Ryan Michaels, al, 19 June 2023 The agency said floats shouldn't be used, particularly for babies with spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 2 Aug. 2023 Former Arkansas State Police Trooper Larry Norman pleaded guilty to misdemeanor negligent homicide in 2007 without going to trial for the 2006 death of 21-year-old Joseph Erin Hamley, who had cerebral palsy and a mental disability. Tom Sissom, Arkansas Online, 29 July 2023 Later, Schwartz would expand his research to study the effects of poliomyelitis and cerebral palsy on muscle function. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2023 In 1997, a teenager with cerebral palsy staying with the Blouins died, yet the state continued to rely on the couple to care for foster children. Jason Laughlin, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2023 Wells, 41, has cerebral palsy and relies on her wheelchair to get around. Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cerebral palsy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near cerebral palsy

Cite this Entry

“Cerebral palsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cerebral%20palsy. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

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
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