quadriplegic

noun quad·ri·ple·gic \ ˌkwä-drə-ˈplē-jik \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Definition of quadriplegic

: 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

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quadriplegia

play \ˌkwä-drə-ˈplē-j(ē-)ə\ noun

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Recent Examples of quadriplegic from the Web

This might benefit people with paralysis, such as quadriplegics, or people with movement disorders.

— elena weissmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Urban horse therapy program coming to Milwaukee's Bay View area will be first of its kind," 4 July 2018
These could be people that are living on ventilators or quadriplegics.

— Washington Post, "The Health 202: Here are three big ways the Trump administration could put its mark on Medicaid," 16 May 2018
Welch is racing against the clock to bring awareness to her 5-year-old nonprofit foundation Freedom to Live, which provides affordable housing and independence training to quadriplegics who are mostly ventilator-dependent.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Famed triathlete racing for quadriplegics," 17 Oct. 2017
Researchers on the project say previous similar dog studies helped them develop methods of electronic stimulation that have improved the breathing of quadriplegics who depend on ventilators.

— donovan slack, USA TODAY, "VA tightens oversight of medical experiments on dogs after surgery failures, canine deaths," 25 Sep. 2017
For All expanded to include cancer survivors, paraplegics, quadriplegics, amputees, and platoons of Wounded Warriors on temporary furlough from Walter Reed Hospital.

— james mulvaney, Washington Post, "My son has a rare form of autism. Learning to surf helped save him," 9 Sep. 2017
Quadriplegics are constantly vulnerable to life threatening health problems and bodily malfunctions, like a spike in blood pressure or spontaneous choking, so someone must always be nearby.

— chris mondics, Philly.com, "Quadriplegic fights to recover after his Philly lawyer's devastating trial loss," 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quadriplegic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.