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

Aariana Rose Philip is an Antiguan American model and musician who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. —Aariana Rose Philip, Vogue, 4 May 2026

The display is accompanied by a work from artist Lucy Jones, who, like Philip, lives with cerebral palsy. —Jocelyn Noveck, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026

Josh Grisdale, the founder of Accessible Japan, a website that publishes databases, resources and guides to navigating the country for people with disabilities, has cerebral palsy and uses a power wheelchair. —ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026

Courtesy Brandi Coon Brandi Coon, an Arizona mother of three who is paid through Medicaid to care for her 11-year-old son with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, said she was alarmed by Kennedy’s remarks. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 23 Apr. 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