cerebral palsy

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a form of paralysis believed to be caused by a prenatal brain defect or by brain injury during birth, most marked in certain motor areas and characterized by difficulty in control of the voluntary muscles.

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cerebral palsy British  

noun

1. a nonprogressive impairment of muscular function and weakness of the limbs, caused by lack of oxygen to the brain immediately after birth, brain injury during birth, or viral infection

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cerebral palsy Scientific  

1. A motor disorder often caused by brain injury occurring at or before birth, characterized by muscular impairment and symptoms such as poor coordination, spasm, abnormal stiffness, speech difficulties, and sometimes paralysis. Some children with cerebral palsy have accompanying neurologic conditions such as epilepsy, learning disorders, and mental retardation.

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cerebral palsy Cultural  

1. A disorder marked by lack of muscle coordination and sometimes accompanied by speech defects. It is caused by brain damage present at birth or experienced during birth or infancy.

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Other Word Forms

• cerebral palsied
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cerebral palsy

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Vicky was diagnosed with both quadriplegic and athetoid cerebral palsy at birth, and Sarah, the eldest of four siblings, recalls early life being a "constant battle".

From BBC • May 14, 2026

While cerebral palsy is not degenerative, as Vicky ages she experiences increased stiffness, fatigue and secondary health challenges.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

My brother, who has cerebral palsy and is developmentally disabled, is two years older than I am.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

"Pearse has complex needs, he has cerebral palsy, he has scoliosis, he has respiratory disease, so he's really 24-hour care," she said.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Mr. Bykovski’s daughter, Esther, had been in my class until she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and had to go away to a special school.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam