syndrome

noun

syn·drome | \ ˈsin-ˌdrōm also -drəm

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

Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about syndrome

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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

Susan Cooper had haemolytic uremic syndrome most likely caused by E. coli. — Katherine Lam, Fox News, "E. coli killed British couple found dead in Egypt hotel, officials say," 12 Sep. 2018 Moriah has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome – a chronic condition that causes an irregular heartbeat, circulatory problems, and in some cases, including hers, chronic fatigue and pain. — Philly.com, "Philadelphia weddings: Moriah Benjoseph and Ben Nassau," 13 July 2018 Arlette Lyons discovered during a routine 12-week scan that her baby had Patau syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality causing severe organ defects. — Sheena Mckenzie, CNN, "'Irish abortions happen; they just don't happen on Irish soil'," 22 May 2018 Only about 300 people worldwide are known to have FOXG1 syndrome, a condition designated a separate disorder relatively recently. — Author: Pam Belluck, Anchorage Daily News, "Infinitesimal odds: A scientist finds her child’s rare illness stems from the gene she studies," 25 Apr. 2018 His character is a young surgeon with autism and savant-syndrome who left behind his rural life in Casper, Wyoming to join the staff at the prestigious St. Bonaventure Hospital in San Jose, California. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Everything You Need to Know About 'The Good Doctor' Season 3," 29 Apr. 2019 The doctors, all specialists in the syndrome, cleared Eickhoff. — Matt Breen, Philly.com, "After vomit delay on mound, Phillies hold on to win," 17 June 2018 Spearman was later diagnosed with a chronic pain syndrome associated with a nervous system malfunction. — Chabeli Herrera, miamiherald, "A door on a Royal Caribbean ship crushed her hand. She sued for $20.3 million — and won," 4 June 2018 Other diagnoses may include fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, neuropathic pain and psychogenic pain. — Andrea K. Mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "Treat pain in children differently than adults," 3 May 2018

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.