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; palsy ¹

Compare meaning

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

• paresis vs. paralysis

Example Sentences

His serious spinal injury was triggered by a fall in 2021, which required emergency surgery to prevent paralysis, his manager Theresa Fortier said in a statement at the time.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

But these overland routes are too congested, expensive and insufficient to make up for the paralysis of traditional routes, Schneider said.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Such campaigns have involved the removal of lower-ranking military officials connected with the purged leaders and will likely result in a sense of paralysis among those who survive, analysts have said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

And fear worse than hunger, fear like a paralysis, inhibiting movement, fear so strong it was something they could feel and taste.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

Related Words

• apathy
• laziness
• passivity
• sluggishness