Down syndrome

noun

variants or Down's syndrome

: a congenital condition characterized especially by developmental delays, usually mild to moderate impairment in cognitive functioning, short stature, upward slanting eyes, a flattened nasal bridge, broad hands with short fingers, decreased muscle tone, and by trisomy of the human chromosome numbered 21

called also trisomy 21

Examples of Down syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jana Wolfe lives in Springfield, Missouri, and said her daughter Heather Ramsey, who has Down syndrome, has worked at a community hospital making the minimum wage and at a sheltered workshop making a subminimum wage. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

Prenatal genetic testing is done to screen for genetic conditions known as fetal aneuploidy, such as Down syndrome, in which a fetus has one or more extra chromosomes or the absence of one or more chromosomes. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

Named for de Gaulle’s daughter, who had Down syndrome, the foundation provides housing and support to people with disabilities. —Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024

McMorris Rogers, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has a son with Down syndrome. —Joanne Haner, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

J. L. H. Down †1896 English physician

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Down syndrome

noun

ˈdau̇n-

variants or Down's syndrome

ˈdau̇n(z)-

: a genetic condition characterized especially by developmental delays, by distinctive physical traits (as short stature and upward slanting eyes), and by the presence of three chromosomes numbered 21 in human beings

Etymology

named for J.L.H. Down, 1828–1896, English doctor

Medical Definition

Down syndrome

noun

variants or Down's syndrome

: a congenital condition characterized especially by developmental delays, usually mild to moderate impairment in cognitive functioning, short stature, relatively small head, upward slanting eyes usually with epicanthal folds, flattened nasal bridge, broad hands with short fingers, decreased muscle tone, and by trisomy of the human chromosome numbered 21

called also Down, Down's, trisomy 21