syndrome

noun

syn·​drome ˈsin-ˌdrōm 

also

-drəm 

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

The syndrome, aptly named after Lewis Carroll's famous children's story, is considered rare. —Lindsey Getz, Parents, 10 Jan. 2026

Pearl explores the relationship between cultural prizes and ideas of nationhood, as well as imposter syndrome and external validation, like MFAs, literary awards, and being seen writing in coffeeshops by and with other writers. —Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026

Conditions such as space adaptation syndrome — an ailment characterized by vomiting and vertigo that is experienced by many astronauts during their first hours in microgravity — only came into focus after years of research and revelations in academic journals. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026

In High Tide Cabaret, artists with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental or neurological differences take center stage, showcasing their talents alongside peer mentors who volunteer to support and collaborate with them. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026

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

Phrases Containing syndrome

• acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• acute respiratory distress syndrome
• adult respiratory distress syndrome
• androgen insensitivity syndrome
• Asperger's syndrome
• Asperger syndrome
• bashful bladder syndrome
• battered child syndrome
• battered woman syndrome
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chinese restaurant syndrome
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• complex regional pain syndrome
• Cushing's syndrome
• cytokine release syndrome
• cytokine storm syndrome
• Down's syndrome
• Down syndrome
• empty-nest syndrome
• fetal alcohol syndrome
• fragile X syndrome
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Gulf War syndrome
• hemolytic uremic syndrome
• imposter syndrome
• impostor syndrome
• insulin resistance syndrome
• irritable bowel syndrome
• Kawasaki's syndrome
• Kawasaki syndrome
• Klinefelter's syndrome
• Marfan's syndrome
• Marfan syndrome
• metabolic syndrome
• Ménière's syndrome
• mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome
• multisystem inflammatory syndrome
• multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
• Munchausen's syndrome
• Munchausen's syndrome by proxy
• Munchausen syndrome
• Munchausen syndrome by proxy
• nephrotic syndrome
• organic brain syndrome
• Parkinson's syndrome
• pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• post-acute COVID syndrome
• post-COVID syndrome
• postpolio syndrome
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• premenstrual syndrome
• punch-drunk syndrome
• refeeding syndrome
• Reiter's syndrome
• respiratory distress syndrome
• restless legs syndrome
• Reye's syndrome
• savant syndrome
• severe acute respiratory syndrome
• shy bladder syndrome
• sick building syndrome
• Stockholm syndrome
• sudden infant death syndrome
• testicular feminization syndrome
• thoracic outlet syndrome
• Tourette's syndrome
• Tourette syndrome
• toxic shock syndrome
• Turner's syndrome
• white coat syndrome
• Williams syndrome

Rhymes for syndrome

• biome
• genome
• megohm
• nichrome
• noisome
• prodrome
• radome
• rhizome
• shalom
• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb

Kids Definition

syndrome

noun

syn·​drome ˈsin-ˌdrōm 

: 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