epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈe-pə-ˌlep-sē How to pronounce epilepsy (audio)
plural epilepsies
: any of various disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions

Examples of epilepsy 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.
Today, Olive has autism and epilepsy, and experiences several seizures a week. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 They can be used to treat certain diseases, such as epilepsy, and may have some benefits in other psychiatric conditions such as depression and schizophrenia. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026 The author specifically praised Reficco over her thorough research on epilepsy in an effort to offer an authentic portrayal. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 To find out, the team induced brief artificial hibernation in mice engineered as an epilepsy model, just before seizures had developed in the animals. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for epilepsy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English epilencie, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French epelempsie, modification of Late Latin epilepsia, from Greek epilēpsia, from epilambanein to seize, from epi- + lambanein to take, seize — more at latch

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of epilepsy was in 1543

Phrases Containing epilepsy

Rhymes for epilepsy

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Browse Nearby Words

epilator
epilepsy
epilept-
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Cite this Entry

“Epilepsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epilepsy. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

epilepsy

noun
ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈep-ə-ˌlep-sē How to pronounce epilepsy (audio)
: a disorder marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, by attacks of convulsions, and by loss of consciousness

Medical Definition

epilepsy

noun
ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈep-ə-ˌlep-sē How to pronounce epilepsy (audio)
plural epilepsies
: any of various disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions see absence epilepsy, grand mal sense 1, petit mal sense 1 focal epilepsy, jacksonian epilepsy, myoclonic epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy

More from Merriam-Webster on epilepsy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about epilepsy

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