acrocentric

adjective

ac·​ro·​cen·​tric ˌa-krō-ˈsen-trik How to pronounce acrocentric (audio)
: having the centromere situated so that one chromosomal arm is much shorter than the other
acrocentric noun

Examples of acrocentric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The most recent project identified three main mapping targets for its sample genome: centromeric satellite arrays; recent segmental duplications; and the short arms of the five acrocentric chromosomes (chromosomes that aren’t cut evenly in half). Connor Lynch, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2022 Adam Phillippy and his team at NHGRI deserve special credit for their focused work to resolve the sequences of the ribosomal DNA arrays on each of the five acrocentric chromosomes, where the centromere is much closer to one end than to the center. Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acrocentric.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

acro- + -centric

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acrocentric was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near acrocentric

Cite this Entry

“Acrocentric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acrocentric. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

acrocentric

adjective
ac·​ro·​cen·​tric ˌak-rō-ˈsen-trik How to pronounce acrocentric (audio)
: having the centromere situated so that one chromosomal arm is much shorter than the other compare metacentric, telocentric entry 1
acrocentric noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!