epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈe-pə-ˌlep-sē 

plural epilepsies

: any of various disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions

Examples of epilepsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The additional $25 million will support the center’s focus in the care and research of complex neurological conditions, including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Controlling and monitoring individual cells has also illuminated neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's and epilepsy. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026

Researchers are currently testing whether optogenetics can alleviate symptoms or enhance the treatment of vision loss, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cancer and more. — Kimberlee D'ardenne, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

She never has been diagnosed with an underlying seizure disorder, such as epilepsy, and a medical test to provoke a seizure in Linton after the crash came back with no abnormal brain activity, prosecutors said. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English epilencie, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French epelempsie, modification of Late Latin epilepsia, from Greek epilēpsia, from epilambanein to seize, from epi- + lambanein to take, seize — more at latch

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing epilepsy

• anti-epilepsy
• grand mal epilepsy

Rhymes for epilepsy

• catalepsy
• narcolepsy

Kids Definition

epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈep-ə-ˌlep-sē 

: a disorder marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, by attacks of convulsions, and by loss of consciousness

Medical Definition

epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈep-ə-ˌlep-sē 

plural epilepsies

: any of various disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions see absence epilepsy, grand mal sense 1, petit mal sense 1 focal epilepsy, jacksonian epilepsy, myoclonic epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy