paralysis

American  

[puh-ral-uh-sis] / pəˈræl ə sɪs /

noun

plural

paralyses

1. Pathology.

   1. a loss or impairment of voluntary movement in a body part, caused by injury or disease of the nerves, brain, or spinal cord.

   2. a disease characterized by this, especially palsy.

2. a state of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act.

   The strike caused a paralysis of all shipping.

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paralysis British  

/ pəˈrælɪsɪs /

noun

1. pathol

   1. impairment or loss of voluntary muscle function or of sensation ( sensory paralysis ) in a part or area of the body, usually caused by a lesion or disorder of the muscles or the nerves supplying them

   2. a disease characterized by such impairment or loss; palsy

2. cessation or impairment of activity

   paralysis of industry by strikes

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paralysis Scientific  

/ pə-răl′ĭ-sĭs /

1. Loss or impairment of voluntary movement or sensation in a part of the body, usually as a result of neurologic injury or disease.

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paralysis Cultural  

1. The loss of voluntary movement in a body part. Paralysis results from damage to the nerves that supply the affected part of the body.

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Other Word Forms

• nonparalysis
  noun
• semiparalysis
  noun

Etymology

Origin of paralysis

before 1150; < Latin < Greek parálysis, equivalent to paraly-, var stem of paralȳ́ein to loosen (i.e., disable) on one side ( para- para- ¹ + lȳ́ein to loosen) + -sis -sis; replacing Middle English paralisi ( e ) < Old French < Latin, as above; replacing late Old English paralisin (accusative) < Latin, as above; cf. palsy ¹

Compare meaning

How does paralysis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• paresis vs. paralysis

Explanation

Paralysis is the inability to move part of your body. It's actually fairly common for people to have short periods of paralysis while they sleep. Paralysis is the experience of being paralyzed, or unable to move part or all of your body. There are medical conditions that can cause paralysis. You can also use paralysis to describe the inability to act, like the paralysis of a city during a big snowstorm, or the paralysis of the school play's star, suddenly struck with stage fright.

Example Sentences

The breakthrough arrived in 1955 when Dr. Jonas Salk introduced a safe and effective injected vaccine, funded by grassroots donations to the March of Dimes, then officially known as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The mites also spread dangerous viruses such as Deformed Wing Virus and Acute Bee Paralysis Virus by injecting them directly into a bee's bloodstream.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

Phoebe was struggling to walk, and was misdiagnosed with Todd's Paralysis, a neurological condition experienced by individuals with epilepsy where a seizure is followed by a brief period of temporary paralysis.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Americans responded by sending their dimes to the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, otherwise known as the March of Dimes.

From National Geographic • Jan. 2, 2024

Paralysis is a loss of power of contracting a muscle, due to disease or injury of the nervous system; it frequently follows or is associated with apoplexy.

From How to Care for the Insane A Manual for Nurses by Granger, William D.

Related Words

• apathy
• laziness
• passivity
• sluggishness