paraplegia

noun

para·​ple·​gia ˌper-ə-ˈplē-j(ē-)ə How to pronounce paraplegia (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
: partial or complete paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs that is usually due to injury or disease of the spinal cord in the thoracic or lumbar region
paraplegic adjective or noun

Examples of paraplegia 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.
Following this work, the company is now aiming to use its BCI to enhance the quality of lives of individuals with speech or motor function disabilities like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), high-level paraplegia, and stroke. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2025 The plaintiff, Darwin Boggs, has paraplegia and uses a wheelchair when traveling in public, the suit said. Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024 The plaintiff, Darwin Boggs, has paraplegia and uses a wheelchair when traveling in public, the suit said. Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024 Those with quadriplegia or paraplegia who continue to drive have to install expensive or sophisticated hardware to control the foot pedals with their hands. New Atlas, 13 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for paraplegia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek paraplēgiē hemiplegia, from para- + -plēgia -plegia

First Known Use

circa 1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paraplegia was circa 1657

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paraplegia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraplegia. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

paraplegia

noun
para·​ple·​gia ˌpar-ə-ˈplē-j(ē-)ə How to pronounce paraplegia (audio)
: partial or complete paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs that is usually due to injury or disease of the spinal cord in the thoracic or lumbar region

More from Merriam-Webster on paraplegia

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!