symptom

American  

[simp-tuhm] / ˈsɪmp təm /

noun

1. any phenomenon or circumstance accompanying something and serving as evidence of it.

2. a sign or indication of something.

   Synonyms:

   mark , token , signal

3. Pathology.  a phenomenon that arises from and accompanies a particular disease or disorder and serves as an indication of it.

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symptom British  

/ ˈsɪmptəm /

noun

1. med any sensation or change in bodily function experienced by a patient that is associated with a particular disease Compare sign

2. any phenomenon or circumstance accompanying something and regarded as evidence of its existence; indication

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symptom Scientific  

/ sĭm′təm /

1. A subjective indication of a disorder or disease, such as pain, nausea or weakness. Symptoms may be accompanied by objective signs of disease such as abnormal laboratory test results or findings during a physical examination.

2. Compare sign

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Other Word Forms

• presymptom noun
• symptomless adjective

Etymology

Origin of symptom

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin symptōma < Greek sýmptōma occurrence, that which falls together with something, equivalent to sym- sym- + ptō- (variant stem of píptein to fall) + -ma noun suffix of result

Example Sentences

“You still have the anxiety and depression symptoms?”

From Salon

The virus is contagious only when symptoms appear after an incubation period of two to 21 days.

From Barron's

Demonstrators against the Georgian government's suspension of its European Union accession bid have complained of other symptoms too - shortness of breath, coughing, and vomiting that lasted for weeks.

From BBC

"We ask parents and guardians to look out for symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, fever or difficulty breathing," James Adamson from Public Health Wales said.

From BBC

Because of this, discovering effective ways to reduce asthma risk before symptoms begin has become a major health priority.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• manifestation
• syndrome