Down syndrome

or Down's syndrome

nounPathology.

a genetic disorder, associated with the presence of an extra chromosome 21, characterized by mild to severe mental impairment, weak muscle tone, shorter stature, and a flattened facial profile.

Origin of Down syndrome

First recorded in 1960–65; after John L. H. Down (1828–96), British physician

Also called trisomy 21 .

usage note For Down syndrome

Down syndrome (or Down's syndrome ) has replaced earlier terms, such as mongolism to refer to the disease and Mongoloid or Mongol to refer to the affected person, all of which are now considered offensive.

See also trisomy.

Words Nearby Down syndrome

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Down syndrome in a sentence

Advanced maternal age dramatically increases the risk of maternal mortality as well as birth defects like Down syndrome.
Men Will Someday Have Kids Without Women | Samantha Allen | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
Jolly somehow finds the time to also manage a restaurant and help kids who have Autism and Down syndrome ride horses.
The Moms of Monster Jam Drive Trucks, Buck Macho Culture | Eliza Krigman | November 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In 1975, Sesame Street became the first children's program to feature someone with Down syndrome.
‘Sesame Street’ Is Middle-Aged and Awesome | Emily Shire | November 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Saylor, a 26-year-old man with Down syndrome, tried to re-watch a movie in a theater without buying another ticket.
Police Brutality's Hidden Victims: The Disabled | Elizabeth Heideman | September 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Richard Dawkins recently tweeted that knowingly birthing a baby with Down syndrome is immoral.
Richard Dawkins Would Fail Philosophy 101 | Elizabeth Picciuto | August 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

Scientific definitions for Down syndrome

Down syndrome

[ doun ]

A congenital disorder caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome. People with Down syndrome have mild to moderate mental retardation, short stature, and a flattened facial profile. The syndrome is named after its discoverer, British physician John Langdon Haydon Down (1828-1896).

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