cerebral palsy

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.

cerebral palsy

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

cerebral palsy

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.

cerebral palsy

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.

Other Word Forms

• cerebral palsied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cerebral palsy¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

When Chantal Chaervey's son with cerebral palsy lost access to healthcare services at 18, she did not imagine she would be fighting four years on to change this.

From BBC

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant, he spent his first three months at a public hospital where the family lives in Orange County.

From Los Angeles Times

Chaney uses crutches to walk short distances and his mobility scooter to travel longer distances because of his cerebral palsy.

From Los Angeles Times

Wren has cerebral palsy, affecting her speech, all four of her limbs and her posture, meaning she needs help with everyday activities.

From BBC

Williams is a full-time caregiver for both her daughter, who is blind and has cerebral palsy, and her sister, who is a veteran living with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

From Los Angeles Times