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

Knopf said about 33% of people with epilepsy are drug resistant and that there is a misconception that surgery is a last option. — Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

They were sent to a neurologist, and after Moore had more minor seizures, he was diagnosed with epilepsy. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Biohaven — The biopharmaceutical company's stock tanked 16% after the Food and Drug Administration imposed a partial clinical hold on an experimental epilepsy treatment, over a potential safety concern that emerged during rodent testing. — Michelle Fox,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

The metabolic approach to treating brain disorders traces back to the early 20th century treatment of childhood epilepsy. — Kelly Rogers Victor, USA Today, 6 Sep. 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