Bell's palsy

American

noun

Pathology.

suddenly occurring paralysis that distorts one side of the face, caused by a lesion of the facial nerve.

Bell's palsy British

noun

a usually temporary paralysis of the muscles of the face, normally on one side

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Bell's palsy

1855–60; named after Charles Bell (1774–1842), Scottish anatomist, who first described it

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ms. Ruhl, in addition to being one of the most inventive dramatists working today, also wrote a beautiful memoir, “Smile,” about her struggles with Bell’s palsy, a neurological disorder that affects the face muscles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 31, 2025

Kennedy has said one of his sons developed Bell’s palsy from Lyme and that one son developed severe, debilitating chronic Lyme.

From Slate • Dec. 19, 2025

However, Amy said she thinks having Bell's palsy had made her a stronger person.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2024

Bell’s palsy is a known side effect of other vaccines, and it has been linked to Covid vaccination in some studies.

From New York Times • May 3, 2024

This is particularly true with regard to Bell's palsy.

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023