Prader-Willi syndrome

noun

Pra·​der-Wil·​li syndrome ˈprä-dər-ˈvi-lē- How to pronounce Prader-Willi syndrome (audio)
: a genetic disorder characterized especially by short stature, intellectual disability, hypotonia, functionally deficient gonads, and uncontrolled appetite leading to extreme obesity

Examples of Prader-Willi syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Eugene told Dateline his daughter has Prader-Willi syndrome, a condition characterized by slow mental development and an always-present state of hunger. Dateline Nbc, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2022 The family had moved a few months prior, and Bynum, who has Prader-Willi syndrome, a condition of slow mental development, was not familiar with the new area. Tatyana Turner, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2022 People with a rare genetic disorder known as Prader-Willi syndrome never feel full, and this insatiable hunger can lead to life-threatening obesity. Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2022 That includes the screening that came back positive for Ms. Geller, which looks for Prader-Willi syndrome, a condition that offers little chance of living independently as an adult. New York Times, 1 Jan. 2022 Sophia’s mother, Ruth Emiliano, said her daughter was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at 2 months old. Vincent T. Davis, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Nov. 2021 Bynum is developmentally disabled with Prader-Willi syndrome, which has symptoms that include slow mental development and constant hunger. Jade Yan, chicagotribune.com, 1 Oct. 2021 Those with severe genetic disorders including Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Turner syndrome and muscular dystrophy. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2021 In a study of people with Prader-Willi syndrome—a rare health condition that leads to overeating—participants who took 1,000 mg of caralluma fimbriata every day for four weeks experienced significant reductions in appetite and food intake levels. Norcal Marketing, Chron, 4 Feb. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Prader-Willi syndrome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Andrea Prader born 1919 and Heinrich Willi †1971 Swiss pediatricians

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Prader-Willi syndrome was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near Prader-Willi syndrome

Cite this Entry

“Prader-Willi syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Prader-Willi%20syndrome. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

Prader-Willi syndrome

noun
Pra·​der-Wil·​li syndrome ˈprä-dər-ˈvil-ē- How to pronounce Prader-Willi syndrome (audio)
: a genetic disorder characterized by short stature, intellectual disability, hypotonia, abnormally small hands and feet, hypogonadism, and uncontrolled appetite leading to extreme obesity

More from Merriam-Webster on Prader-Willi syndrome

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!