syndrome

noun

syn·​drome ˈsin-ˌdrōm How to pronounce syndrome (audio)
also
-drəm How to pronounce syndrome (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yes, some runners do get short-term knee problems, including patellofemoral syndrome or runner’s knee, and others have specific joint conditions that make running more challenging, if not impossible. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025 On Tuesday, April 22, Dupree, her fiancé Colin Dooley and her parents appeared at an FYC panel event hosted by PEOPLE's Janine Rubenstein, and the TikToker-turned-reality star opened up about some her darkest moments living with Tourette syndrome. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025 Police believe the woman may have suffered from Turner syndrome, which is often associated with physical characteristics such as short stature, a broad chest, a short wide neck and a small chin. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Apr. 2025 Just in 2022, Justin Bieber took a break from performing after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which left him unable to move one side of his face. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for syndrome

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of syndrome was in 1541

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syndrome. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

syndrome

noun
syn·​drome ˈsin-ˌdrōm How to pronounce syndrome (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on syndrome

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