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

Tragically, Laneesha died two weeks laterat age 31, likely from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, a rare complication of her neurodevelopmental disorder. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Dec. 2025

Olivia DeSimone and her parents visited the new Wishing Place, where the 13-year-old with epilepsy got a personalized welcome. —Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025

Experts recommend consuming no more than 400 mg of caffeine daily, and people with severe hypertension, anxiety, epilepsy, stomach ulcers, or pregnancy may need to cut back further. —Md Published, Verywell Health, 8 Dec. 2025

Youngerman, Shepard, and epilepsy neurologist Catherine Schevon have received NIH funding to explore BISC for drug-resistant epilepsy. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Dec. 2025

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