Definition of syndrome
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
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of syndrome from the Web
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Everyone feels imposter syndrome, and everyone has to learn how to do something at some point.
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The show, from Bunim/Murray (The Real World) , follows the adventures of a group of young people with Down syndrome.
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How to Prevent One of the Most Common Hand Pains Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common problem that can cause a lot of pain.
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In a recent New England Journal of Medicine study, cannabidiol oil—a derivative of marijuana—reduced seizures by 39% in children with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy.
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Researchers are reportedly looking into whether poop transplants can help with everything from irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, obesity, diabetes, epilepsy, and HIV.
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That’s because those 14 have the high-functioning form of autism known as Asperger’s syndrome, which is characterized by difficulties with social interaction.
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But groups such as the ACLU have said the syndrome is built on shaky medical research and is a way to cover for overaggressive police tactics.
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The boy, now 6, has Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome, which is characterized by intellectual disability, distinctive facial and other physical features, and often seizures.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'syndrome.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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.
Origin and Etymology of syndrome
New Latin, from Greek syndromē combination, syndrome, from syn- + dramein to run — more at dromedary
SYNDROME Defined for English Language Learners
syndrome
playDefinition of syndrome for English Language Learners
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: a disease or disorder that involves a particular group of signs and symptoms
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about syndrome
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See words that rhyme with syndrome Spanish Central: Translation of syndrome Nglish: Translation of syndrome for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of syndrome for Arabic speakers
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