hydrocephalus
noun
hy·dro·ceph·a·lus ˌhī-drō-ˈse-fə-ləs 
variants or less commonly hydrocephaly
ˌhī-drō-ˈse-fə-lē
: an abnormal increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid within the cranial cavity (as from obstructed flow, excess production, or defective absorption) that is accompanied by expansion of the cerebral ventricles and often increased intracranial pressure, skull enlargement, and cognitive decline
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Andrew, who was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess fluids build up in the brain, passed away on July 1 — just days after his 14th birthday — following months of painful hospice care. 
Gloria Rebecca Gomez, The Arizona Republic, 28 July 2022 Abigail Rose’s spina bifida in utero — rather waiting to do surgery after she was born — reduced her chances of developing hydrocephalus, which is when fluid builds up on the brain, said Dr. Robert Bollo, a pediatric neurosurgeon. Becky Jacobs, The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Apr. 2022 On the third day, the doctor called him with good news: Jason did not have hydrocephalus. New York Times, 24 Jan. 2022 Deyonshaj, 14, has multiple conditions including epilepsy and hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid inside the brain. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2022 He was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess fluids build up in the brain, and has undergone more than 50 surgeries throughout his life. Brieanna J. Frank, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2021 The tumor was causing a buildup of fluid in Zen's skull and putting pressure on his brain—a condition called hydrocephalus—as well as contributing to his enlarged head and difficulty breathing. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 16 Dec. 2021 Her son Ron McBay said the cause was diabetes and normal pressure hydrocephalus, a form of dementia. New York Times, 14 Dec. 2021 In Zen’s case, this hydrocephalus was due to a malignant brain tumor, Cannon explained. Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, 8 Dec. 2021 See More
Gloria Rebecca Gomez, The Arizona Republic, 28 July 2022 Abigail Rose’s spina bifida in utero — rather waiting to do surgery after she was born — reduced her chances of developing hydrocephalus, which is when fluid builds up on the brain, said Dr. Robert Bollo, a pediatric neurosurgeon. Becky Jacobs, The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Apr. 2022 On the third day, the doctor called him with good news: Jason did not have hydrocephalus. New York Times, 24 Jan. 2022 Deyonshaj, 14, has multiple conditions including epilepsy and hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid inside the brain. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2022 He was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess fluids build up in the brain, and has undergone more than 50 surgeries throughout his life. Brieanna J. Frank, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2021 The tumor was causing a buildup of fluid in Zen's skull and putting pressure on his brain—a condition called hydrocephalus—as well as contributing to his enlarged head and difficulty breathing. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 16 Dec. 2021 Her son Ron McBay said the cause was diabetes and normal pressure hydrocephalus, a form of dementia. New York Times, 14 Dec. 2021 In Zen’s case, this hydrocephalus was due to a malignant brain tumor, Cannon explained. Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, 8 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin hydrocephalus, from Late Latin, hydrocephalic, adjective, from Greek hydrokephalos, from hydr- + kephalē head — more at cephalic
First Known Use
1670, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
hydrocephalus
noun
hy·dro·ceph·a·lus -ˈsef-ə-ləs, British also -ˈkef-
plural hydrocephali -ˌlī
: an abnormal increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid within the cranial cavity (as from obstructed flow, excess production, or defective absorption) that is accompanied by expansion of the cerebral ventricles and often increased intracranial pressure, skull enlargement, and cognitive decline