: paralysis of the facial nerve producing distortion on one side of the face

Examples of Bell's palsy 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.
But, a few weeks later in May, he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025 Many suggested that the rapper may be suffering from Bell's palsy. Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025 His son developed Bell's palsy, a sudden paralysis on one side of the face, but recovered quickly after a course of oral antibiotics. Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 27 June 2026 People diagnosed with Bell's palsy experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Chantz Martin, Fox News, 28 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for Bell's palsy

Word History

Etymology

Sir Charles Bell †1842 Scottish anatomist

First Known Use

circa 1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Bell's palsy was circa 1845

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Cite this Entry

“Bell's palsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bell%27s%20palsy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

Bell's palsy

noun
: paralysis of the facial nerve producing distortion on one side of the face
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