Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- 

variants or less commonly Parkinson disease or Parkinson's or Parkinson's syndrome

: a chronic progressive neurological disease chiefly of later life that is linked to decreased dopamine production in the substantia nigra and is marked especially by tremor of resting muscles, rigidity, slowness of movement, impaired balance, and a shuffling gait

called also paralysis agitans

Examples of Parkinson's disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Osbourne, who suffered a series of health setbacks in recent years, including getting diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2003, performed the July 5 concert from a throne. —Marina Watts, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremors, slowed movement, rigid muscles, poor posture and balance and loss of automatic movements. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

The heavy metal pioneer died July 22 at the age of 76 following a series of health issues, including Parkinson's disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2019. —Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Dysregulated autonomic nervous system: This is seen with conditions like Parkinson's disease or diabetes. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 2 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

James Parkinson †1824 English physician

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Parkinson's disease

• ferromanganese
• mephistopheles
• ostracods
• abcs
• absentees
• addressees
• adoptees
• allottees
• amputees
• antifreeze
• appellees
• appointees

Kids Definition

Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- 

: a disease chiefly of later life that tends to get steadily worse and is marked especially by stiff and trembling muscles, slowness of movement, and a shuffling way of walking

Medical Definition

Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- 

variants also Parkinson disease

-sən-

or Parkinson's

: a chronic progressive neurological disease chiefly of later life that is linked to decreased dopamine production in the substantia nigra, is of unknown cause, and is marked especially by tremor of resting muscles, rigidity, slowness of movement, impaired balance, and a shuffling gait

called also paralysis agitans, parkinsonian syndrome, parkinsonism, Parkinson's syndrome