syndrome

noun

syn·​drome ˈsin-ˌdrōm 

also

-drəm 

1

: a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality or condition

2

: a set of concurrent things (such as emotions or actions) that usually form an identifiable pattern

Did you know?

Combining its two Greek roots, syndrome means basically "running together". So when diagnosing a condition or disease, doctors tend to look for a group of symptoms existing together. As long as a set of symptoms remains mysterious, it may be referred to as a specific syndrome. But if that name is used for a while, it may become the condition's permanent name, even after an underlying cause has been found. So today we have Down syndrome, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, Tourette's syndrome, sick building syndrome, and many more. And since mental conditions often turn out to have physical causes, syndrome is used in psychology as well as in medicine.

Examples of syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This condition is called flat head syndrome or positional plagiocephaly. —Maria Carter, Parents, 16 Nov. 2023

There’s also the potential for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a condition that causes recurrent vomiting in heavy marijuana users. —Christina Caron, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023

Most inhabitants of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Minnesota would get average doses greater than 1 Gy, causing fatalities from acute radiation syndrome, especially among children. —Sébastien Philippe, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023

Her son, who was born in 1996 and died six days after his birth, had been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Pfeiffer syndrome, in which certain bones of the skull fuse prematurely. —Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023

Cody was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a genetic disorder that can leave a person without the ability to walk or communicate. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2023

According to Casey Trees, the changes could have negative effects on endangered species that live in Rock Creek Park’s forests, including long-eared and Indiana bats whose populations have been damaged by the fungal white-nose syndrome. —Joe Heim, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023

Katz had a heart condition called long QT syndrome type 1 and avoided energy drinks at the recommendation of her doctors, according to the filing. —Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2023

No one knows what causes Havana syndrome, and treatment seems to be focused on the symptoms and not Havana syndrome itself. —Korin Miller, Health, 10 Nov. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek syndromē combination, syndrome, from syn- + dramein to run — more at dromedary

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing syndrome

• acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Asperger's syndrome
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• fetal alcohol syndrome
• hemolytic uremic syndrome
• insulin resistance syndrome
• multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
• post-acute COVID syndrome
• refeeding syndrome
• severe acute respiratory syndrome
• white coat syndrome
• battered woman syndrome
• androgen insensitivity syndrome
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• cytokine release syndrome
• acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• complex regional pain syndrome
• acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• adult respiratory distress syndrome
• fragile X syndrome
• Asperger syndrome
• cytokine storm syndrome
• Klinefelter's syndrome
• Chinese restaurant syndrome
• Munchausen syndrome
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• impostor syndrome
• post-COVID syndrome
• irritable bowel syndrome
• Down's syndrome
• Marfan syndrome
• punch-drunk syndrome
• Gulf War syndrome
• Reiter's syndrome
• empty-nest syndrome
• Cushing's syndrome
• sick building syndrome
• metabolic syndrome
• Down syndrome
• imposter syndrome
• battered child syndrome
• organic brain syndrome
• nephrotic syndrome
• Munchausen's syndrome by proxy
• bashful bladder syndrome
• Kawasaki's syndrome
• Tourette's syndrome
• Williams syndrome
• premenstrual syndrome
• testicular feminization syndrome
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• restless legs syndrome
• thoracic outlet syndrome
• postpolio syndrome
• Turner's syndrome
• mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome
• Ménière's syndrome
• Stockholm syndrome
• Parkinson's syndrome
• Marfan's syndrome
• sudden infant death syndrome
• toxic shock syndrome
• Tourette syndrome
• multisystem inflammatory syndrome
• Munchausen syndrome by proxy
• Munchausen's syndrome
• shy bladder syndrome
• Reye's syndrome
• pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome
• respiratory distress syndrome
• savant syndrome
• Kawasaki syndrome

See More

• acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Asperger's syndrome
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• fetal alcohol syndrome
• hemolytic uremic syndrome
• insulin resistance syndrome
• multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
• post-acute COVID syndrome
• refeeding syndrome
• severe acute respiratory syndrome
• white coat syndrome
• battered woman syndrome
• androgen insensitivity syndrome
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• cytokine release syndrome
• acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• complex regional pain syndrome
• acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• adult respiratory distress syndrome
• fragile X syndrome
• Asperger syndrome
• cytokine storm syndrome
• Klinefelter's syndrome
• Chinese restaurant syndrome
• Munchausen syndrome
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• impostor syndrome
• post-COVID syndrome
• irritable bowel syndrome
• Down's syndrome
• Marfan syndrome
• punch-drunk syndrome
• Gulf War syndrome
• Reiter's syndrome
• empty-nest syndrome
• Cushing's syndrome
• sick building syndrome
• metabolic syndrome
• Down syndrome
• imposter syndrome
• battered child syndrome
• organic brain syndrome
• nephrotic syndrome
• Munchausen's syndrome by proxy
• bashful bladder syndrome
• Kawasaki's syndrome
• Tourette's syndrome
• Williams syndrome
• premenstrual syndrome
• testicular feminization syndrome
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• restless legs syndrome
• thoracic outlet syndrome
• postpolio syndrome
• Turner's syndrome
• mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome
• Ménière's syndrome
• Stockholm syndrome
• Parkinson's syndrome
• Marfan's syndrome
• sudden infant death syndrome
• toxic shock syndrome
• Tourette syndrome
• multisystem inflammatory syndrome
• Munchausen syndrome by proxy
• Munchausen's syndrome
• shy bladder syndrome
• Reye's syndrome
• pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome
• respiratory distress syndrome
• savant syndrome
• Kawasaki syndrome

See More

Kids Definition

syndrome

noun

syn·​drome ˈsin-ˌdrōm 

: a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality or condition

Medical Definition

syndrome

noun

syn·​drome

ˈsin-ˌdrōm also -drəm

: a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality