Williams syndrome
noun
Wil·liams syndrome
ˈwil-yəmz- 
: a rare genetic disorder marked especially by hypercalcemia of infants, heart defects, characteristic facial abnormalities, and mild to moderate intellectual disability but a high verbal aptitude
Examples of Williams syndrome in a Sentence
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The week-long residential program for musically talented individuals with Williams syndrome serves a dual purpose of studying the rare genetic condition while providing music enrichment through performance and education.
—
Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 3 July 2024
Best Buddies serves individuals with a range of disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury.
—Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 24 June 2023
As a stepfather to Julia, a 26-year-old with Williams syndrome, Hershey knows firsthand about protecting the rights and seeing to the needs of those with intellectual and developmental challenges.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2021
Charbonnet shares a special bond with Bella, who was born with Williams syndrome, a rare developmental disorder that presents cognitive challenges with math and abstract concepts, among other issues.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2022
He’s played by the screenwriter’s son, Colin McKenna, who has Williams syndrome.
—al, 4 Dec. 2020
In contrast, the children with Williams syndrome only showed such responses 64% of the time, which wasn’t significantly different from chance.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2010
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Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 3 July 2024
Best Buddies serves individuals with a range of disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury.
—Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 24 June 2023
As a stepfather to Julia, a 26-year-old with Williams syndrome, Hershey knows firsthand about protecting the rights and seeing to the needs of those with intellectual and developmental challenges.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2021
Charbonnet shares a special bond with Bella, who was born with Williams syndrome, a rare developmental disorder that presents cognitive challenges with math and abstract concepts, among other issues.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2022
He’s played by the screenwriter’s son, Colin McKenna, who has Williams syndrome.
—al, 4 Dec. 2020
In contrast, the children with Williams syndrome only showed such responses 64% of the time, which wasn’t significantly different from chance.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2010
Cite this Entry
“Williams syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Williams%20syndrome. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Williams syndrome
noun
Wil·liams syndrome
ˈwil-yəmz-
variants
also Williams-Beuren syndrome
: a rare genetic disorder characterized especially by hypercalcemia of infants, heart defects (as supravalvular aortic stenosis), characteristic facial features (as an upturned nose, long philtrum, wide mouth, full lips, and pointed chin), a sociable personality, and mild to moderate intellectual disability but a high verbal aptitude
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