symptom
noun
symp·tom
ˈsim(p)-təm 
1
a
: subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance
broadly
: something that indicates the presence of bodily disorder
b
: an evident reaction by a plant to a pathogen
2
a
: something that indicates the existence of something else
symptoms of an inner turmoil
b
: a slight indication : trace
Examples of symptom in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to fevers and continuous, watery diarrhea, rotavirus symptoms in babies and children can also include loss of appetite and dehydration, per the NFID.
—
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Reddy told Fox News Digital that salmonella bacteria can only be killed by cooking a raw egg — and the disease's symptoms include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The second does not involve IgE antibodies and causes symptoms that are delayed, such as diarrhea, gas, pain, and bloody stool.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 15 Apr. 2026
Unlike current treatments that primarily manage symptoms by replacing dopamine, the experimental therapy aims to modify the disease itself, a shift experts describe as potentially transformative.
—Ted Scouten, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symptom
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Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Reddy told Fox News Digital that salmonella bacteria can only be killed by cooking a raw egg — and the disease's symptoms include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The second does not involve IgE antibodies and causes symptoms that are delayed, such as diarrhea, gas, pain, and bloody stool.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 15 Apr. 2026
Unlike current treatments that primarily manage symptoms by replacing dopamine, the experimental therapy aims to modify the disease itself, a shift experts describe as potentially transformative.
—Ted Scouten, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symptom
Cite this Entry
“Symptom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symptom. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
symptom
noun
symp·tom
ˈsim(p)-təm
1
: a change in a living thing that indicates the presence of a disease or other physical disorder
especially
: one (as a headache) that can be felt or sensed only by the individual affected
2
: something that shows that something else exists : indication
Medical Definition
symptom
noun
symp·tom
ˈsim(p)-təm
: subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance observed by the patient
headache is a symptom of many diseases
visual disturbances may be a symptom of retinal arteriosclerosis
broadly
: something that indicates the presence of a physical disorder compare sign sense 2
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