Down syndrome

noun

variants: or Down's syndrome

Definition of Down 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

Learn More About Down syndrome

Dictionary Entries Near Down syndrome

downswing

Down syndrome

downtake

Statistics for Down syndrome

Cite this Entry

“Down syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Down%20syndrome. Accessed 28 Sep. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for Down syndrome

Down syndrome

noun

variants: or Down's syndrome

Medical Definition of Down 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