chronic fatigue syndrome

noun

: a disorder of unknown cause that is characterized by persistent profound fatigue usually accompanied by other symptoms (such as headache and tender lymph nodes) unrelated to any preexisting medical condition

—abbreviation CFS

Examples of chronic fatigue syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Lancet, Vol. 387, Issue 10028, April 16, 2016: Mortality of people with chronic fatigue syndrome. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024

Growing up with a mom who had chronic fatigue syndrome, Maran lived in a fragrance-free home because her mother was sensitive to chemicals. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

The findings may offer clues about long COVID By Kamal Nahas Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating multisystem disorder from which adults rarely recover. —Kamal Nahas, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2024

This view of viral illnesses and their potential long-term impacts may lead to research that will also help people with other little understood conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, which experts believe might be triggered by viral infections, Al-Aly said. —Linda Carroll, NBC News, 14 Dec. 2023

The Daily Rally The gear designer thought her career was over was stricken with chronic fatigue syndrome. —Sarah Vitak, Outside Online, 13 Apr. 2023

Pathogens like Epstein-Barr virus have been named as likely culprits behind chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis. —Byerin Prater, Fortune Well, 6 Oct. 2023

Then, in the early 2000s, toward the end of his tenure at a Postal Service distribution center, Akin developed chronic fatigue syndrome and was barely able to do anything physical, Crockett said. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 25 Nov. 2023

Other studies have connected self-silencing to irritable bowel syndrome, HIV, chronic fatigue syndrome, and cancer among women. —Time, 3 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

chronic fatigue syndrome

noun

: a disorder of uncertain cause that is characterized by persistent profound fatigue usually accompanied by impairment in short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle or joint pain, and headache unrelated to any preexisting medical condition and that typically has an onset at about 30 years of age

—abbreviation CFS

called also myalgic encephalomyelitis