Main Entry: chro·mo·some

Pronunciation: \ˈkrō-mə-ˌsōm, -ˌzōm\

Function: noun

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary

Date: 1889

: any of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing structures of cellular organisms that are located in the nucleus of eukaryotes, are usually ring-shaped in prokaryotes (as bacteria), and contain all or most of the genes of the organism; also : the genetic material of a virus — compare chromatin

— chro·mo·som·al \ˌkrō-mə-ˈsō-məl, -ˈzō-\ adjective

— chro·mo·som·al·ly \-mə-lē\ adverb