quadriplegic

noun

quad·​ri·​ple·​gic ˌkwä-drə-ˈplē-jik How to pronounce quadriplegic (audio)
: one affected with partial or complete paralysis of both the arms and legs especially as a result of spinal cord injury or disease in the region of the neck
quadriplegia noun

Did you know?

Quadriplegia is the result of injury or illness, almost always affecting the spine. Though a paraplegic has lost the use only of his or her legs, quadriplegics are paralyzed in all four limbs. Today voice-activated wheelchairs help the quadriplegic get around, and houses can be equipped with similar systems to operate lights and appliances; monkeys have even been trained to assist quadriplegics with everyday tasks. The work of the quadriplegic actor Christopher Reeve has led to remarkable advances in developing new nerve connections, enabling some determined paraplegics and quadriplegics to walk again.

Examples of quadriplegic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Marc Buoniconti became a quadriplegic following a spinal cord injury while playing in a 1985 college football game. Miami Herald, 3 July 2025 Her stepfather, Roger, suffered a devastating fall, breaking his C5 vertebra and becoming a quadriplegic. Jordan Greene, People.com, 27 June 2025 Here’s how homes for quadriplegics lost out on a raise after Californians passed Prop. 35. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024 Back home in America, Davenport presents the case of Michael Hickson, a quadriplegic who was denied medical care by his doctors. Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quadriplegic

Word History

Etymology

quadriplegia, from New Latin

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quadriplegic was in 1921

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Cite this Entry

“Quadriplegic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quadriplegic. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

quadriplegic

noun
quad·​ri·​ple·​gic ˌkwäd-rə-ˈplē-jik How to pronounce quadriplegic (audio)
: a person who is paralyzed in both arms and both legs

Medical Definition

quadriplegic

1 of 2 adjective
quad·​ri·​ple·​gic ˌkwäd-rə-ˈplē-jik How to pronounce quadriplegic (audio)
: of, relating to, or affected with quadriplegia
quadriplegic patients

quadriplegic

2 of 2 noun
: one affected with quadriplegia

called also tetraplegic

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