grand mal

noun

ˈgrän(d)-ˌmäl 

ˈgräⁿ-ˌmäl, 

-ˌmal;

ˈgran(d)-ˌmal 

1

or grand mal epilepsy : severe epilepsy characterized by seizures in which there is an abrupt loss of consciousness with initially prolonged tonic muscle contractions followed by clonic muscle spasms

2

or grand mal seizure : a seizure marked by abrupt loss of consciousness with initially prolonged tonic muscle contractions followed by clonic muscle spasms compare petit mal

Examples of grand mal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Immediately after the fall, Kelly suffered a tonic-clonic seizure (formerly known as a grand mal seizure). — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026

Family friends confirmed to the Martha’s Vineyard Times that Forté was hospitalized a year ago after suffering a seizure and had since been taking medication to control the threat of a grand mal seizure. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026

Our very elderly diabetic dog, Spartacus, had had a grand mal seizure on our bed. — Molly Jong-Fast june 3, Literary Hub, 3 June 2025

What starts to come into view is that Laura had a daughter who looks suspiciously like Piper, and that perhaps Laura has tried this trick before on Oliver, who can’t leave the premises without having a grand mal seizure. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, great illness

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for grand mal

• canal
• chorale
• corral
• locale
• morale
• royale
• artisanal
• bal
• dal
• gal
• pal
• sal

Medical Definition

grand mal

noun

ˈgrän(d)-ˌmäl  ˈgräⁿ-ˌmäl 

-ˌmal; ˈgran(d)-ˌmal

1

or grand mal epilepsy : severe epilepsy characterized by tonic-clonic seizures : tonic-clonic epilepsy

2

or grand mal seizure : a tonic-clonic seizure

She estimates having had about 25 grand mals and 100 smaller-scale seizures since.

—Cicero A. Estrella, San Francisco Chronicle