Prader-Willi syndrome

British

/ ˌprɑːdəˈvɪlɪ /

noun

a congenital condition characterized by obsessive eating, obesity, mental retardation, and small genitalia

"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

Etymology

Origin of Prader-Willi syndrome

C20: after Andrea Prader (1919–2001) and Heinrich Willi (1900–71), Swiss paediatricians

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.

“We share the Soleno team’s deep commitment to the Prader-Willi syndrome community and look forward to leveraging our experience and capabilities to expand Vykat XR’s reach to benefit more patients,” Gano said.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Soleno, which develops treatments of rare diseases, is known for its Vykat XR drug to treat the extreme hunger caused by rare genetic disorder Prader-Willi syndrome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Her son, Harvey, 22, has Prader-Willi syndrome, autism and is partially-sighted.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2024

“Most diseases are due to some dysregulation of RNA,” including Prader-Willi syndrome and certain muscular dystrophies and cancers, says Vivian Cheung, an RNA biologist at the University of Michigan.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 21, 2024

While it is uncommon, chronic disordered eating, including a genetic condition called Prader-Willi syndrome that results in constant hunger and binge eating, can cause stomach rupture.

From Washington Post • Nov. 21, 2022

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