Down syndrome

noun

variants or Down's syndrome

: a congenital condition characterized especially by developmental delays, usually mild to moderate impairment in cognitive functioning, short stature, upward slanting eyes, a flattened nasal bridge, broad hands with short fingers, decreased muscle tone, and by trisomy of the human chromosome numbered 21

called also trisomy 21

Examples of Down syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Farad, who has become known and beloved to her fans over the years, has Down syndrome and is his mother’s biggest cheerleader and hype man. —Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 24 Sep. 2025

As Herz points out, in the more than three decades since Life Goes On ended in 1993, there has not been another actor with Down syndrome in a lead role. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025

In the last decade, Barbie has been rolling out more inclusive and diverse dolls, such as the first-ever one with type 1 diabetes and one with Down syndrome. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025

Last July, the brand launched a blind Barbie and the first Black Barbie with Down syndrome. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

J. L. H. Down †1896 English physician

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Down syndrome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome

Kids Definition

Down syndrome

noun

ˈdau̇n-

variants or Down's syndrome

ˈdau̇n(z)-

: a genetic condition characterized especially by developmental delays, by distinctive physical traits (as short stature and upward slanting eyes), and by the presence of three chromosomes numbered 21 in human beings

Etymology

named for J.L.H. Down, 1828–1896, English doctor

Medical Definition

Down syndrome

noun

variants or Down's syndrome

: a congenital condition characterized especially by developmental delays, usually mild to moderate impairment in cognitive functioning, short stature, relatively small head, upward slanting eyes usually with epicanthal folds, flattened nasal bridge, broad hands with short fingers, decreased muscle tone, and by trisomy of the human chromosome numbered 21

called also Down, Down's, trisomy 21