Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- How to pronounce Parkinson's disease (audio)
variants or less commonly Parkinson disease or Parkinson's or Parkinson's syndrome
: a chronic progressive neurological disease chiefly of later life that is linked to decreased dopamine production in the substantia nigra and is marked especially by tremor of resting muscles, rigidity, slowness of movement, impaired balance, and a shuffling gait

called also paralysis agitans

Examples of Parkinson's disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Medical history: Certain health conditions, including Parkinson's disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acne, obesity, stroke, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), can trigger excess oil production and lead to wet dandruff. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Feb. 2025 Osbourne, 76, has been battling Parkinson's disease for years, but the Prince of Darkness will not let that keep him from the stage. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 View 1 Images Americans will soon have access to an infusion device that provides round-the-clock effective relief of Parkinson's disease. New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2025 While Parkinson's disease accounts for 80% of all Parkinsonism cases, other conditions — multiple system atrophy or corticobasal degeneration — can also cause the symptoms. Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for Parkinson's disease 

Word History

Etymology

James Parkinson †1824 English physician

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Parkinson's disease was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near Parkinson's disease

Cite this Entry

“Parkinson's disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Parkinson%27s%20disease. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

Parkinson's disease

noun
Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- How to pronounce Parkinson's disease (audio)
: a disease chiefly of later life that tends to get steadily worse and is marked especially by stiff and trembling muscles, slowness of movement, and a shuffling way of walking

Medical Definition

Parkinson's disease

noun
Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- How to pronounce Parkinson's disease (audio)
variants also Parkinson disease
-sən-
or Parkinson's
: a chronic progressive neurological disease chiefly of later life that is linked to decreased dopamine production in the substantia nigra, is of unknown cause, and is marked especially by tremor of resting muscles, rigidity, slowness of movement, impaired balance, and a shuffling gait

called also paralysis agitans, parkinsonian syndrome, parkinsonism, Parkinson's syndrome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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