syndrome

noun

syn·​drome ˈsin-ˌdrōm How to pronounce syndrome (audio)
also
-drəm How to pronounce syndrome (audio)
1
: a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality or condition
2
: a set of concurrent things (such as emotions or actions) that usually form an identifiable pattern

Did you know?

Combining its two Greek roots, syndrome means basically "running together". So when diagnosing a condition or disease, doctors tend to look for a group of symptoms existing together. As long as a set of symptoms remains mysterious, it may be referred to as a specific syndrome. But if that name is used for a while, it may become the condition's permanent name, even after an underlying cause has been found. So today we have Down syndrome, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, Tourette's syndrome, sick building syndrome, and many more. And since mental conditions often turn out to have physical causes, syndrome is used in psychology as well as in medicine.

Examples of syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In a recent study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, Horn and an international team of researchers took data from more than 530 electrodes implanted in the brains of more than 200 people living with four conditions: Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, Tourette’s syndrome and OCD. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 In November 2023, at the age of 51, she was diagnosed with Autism Level 1 (formerly known as Asperger's syndrome), depression and sensory processing disorder by Dr. Zonya Mitchell, who has spent 20 years working with individuals on the spectrum. Danielle Bacher, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 When this is severe enough to lead to weight loss and muscle wasting, it's called anorexia-cachexia syndrome (ACS). Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2024 According to the Mayo Clinic, Gilbert syndrome is a common, harmless liver condition in which the liver doesn’t properly process bilirubin, a yellow-orange substance produced by the breakdown of red blood cells and passed through bile. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Sharing scenes with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro left Isbell, at least temporarily, with a case of imposter syndrome. David Walters, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 In Spain, the three children with Down syndrome and the child with Edwards syndrome were buried either in homes or in special ritual buildings alongside ceremonial objects. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 What has Amy Schumer said about her diagnosis with Cushing syndrome? Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 25 Feb. 2024 Amy Schumer has been diagnosed with Cushing syndrome. Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'syndrome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek syndromē combination, syndrome, from syn- + dramein to run — more at dromedary

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of syndrome was in 1541

Dictionary Entries Near syndrome

Cite this Entry

“Syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syndrome. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

syndrome

noun
syn·​drome ˈsin-ˌdrōm How to pronounce syndrome (audio)
: a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality or condition

Medical Definition

syndrome

noun
syn·​drome
ˈsin-ˌdrōm also -drəm
: a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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