polycystic ovary syndrome

British

noun

PCOS. a hormonal disorder in which the Graafian follicles in the ovary fail to develop completely so that they are unable to ovulate, remaining as multiple cysts that distend the ovary. The results can include reduced fertility, obesity, and hirsutism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Look up polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, and every definition you find will state that the hormonal disorder manifests in women and people with ovaries of reproductive age.

From Slate • Sep. 19, 2025

She said she was told weight loss could help her start having periods again after they stopped due to bloating caused by polycystic ovary syndrome.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2024

She also has been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, which the Office on Women’s Health says causes “a hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems that may affect overall health and appearance.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2024

Researchers are also studying whether these drugs could help women with polycystic ovary syndrome, a leading cause of infertility that leads to irregular periods and is more common in women with obesity.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2024

BMI restrictions also do not often consider the impact of health conditions affecting weight such as polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS.

From Salon • Jan. 7, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023