symptom
noun
symp·tom
ˈsim(p)-təm 
1
a
: subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance
broadly
: something that indicates the presence of bodily disorder
b
: an evident reaction by a plant to a pathogen
2
a
: something that indicates the existence of something else
symptoms of an inner turmoil
b
: a slight indication : trace
Examples of symptom in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
People infected with the salmonella bacteria can experience symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.
—
Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Initial symptoms — which tend to appear within six to 24 hours of ingesting a death cap — can include watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dehydration, the state health department said.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Supplementing with magnesium may help reduce anxiety symptoms in women with PCOS, although more research is needed to confirm these effects.
—Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2026
Additionally, while the initial tests involved the monitoring of inflammation, the researchers believe that the technology could ultimately be utilized to monitor other symptoms by detecting other biomarkers.
—New Atlas, 14 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Symptom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symptom. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
symptom
noun
symp·tom
ˈsim(p)-təm
1
: a change in a living thing that indicates the presence of a disease or other physical disorder
especially
: one (as a headache) that can be felt or sensed only by the individual affected
2
: something that shows that something else exists : indication
Medical Definition
symptom
noun
symp·tom
ˈsim(p)-təm
: subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance observed by the patient
headache is a symptom of many diseases
visual disturbances may be a symptom of retinal arteriosclerosis
broadly
: something that indicates the presence of a physical disorder compare sign sense 2
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