diploid

1 of 2

adjective

dip·​loid ˈdi-ˌplȯid How to pronounce diploid (audio)
: having or involving two sets of homologous chromosomes
diploid somatic cells
In land plants, genome size increased by leaps and bounds after the diploid generation became dominant in the life cycle.Yin-Long Qui et al.
compare haploid
diploidy noun
plural diploidies

diploid

2 of 2

noun

plural diploids
: a single cell, individual, or generation characterized by two complete sets of chromosomes
In genetic terms, the majority of wild tulips are diploids, with twenty-four chromosomes marching in harmony.Anna Pavord

Examples of diploid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Lind assures that there will always be a need for diploid cannabis because a parent plant is required to produce triploid plants. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Clones simply split in two or bud to generate identical copies of themselves, or produce self-sufficient diploid eggs that don’t require fertilization by sperm. Joann C Gutin, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 The number of chromosomes, whether the organism is diploid, the variations in the rate of recombination. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 26 Aug. 2011 Amictic in this context means individuals who produce diploid eggs which can not be fertilized. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 Oct. 2010 The mathematics of this is exceedingly simple, a consequence of the Hardy-Weinberg dynamics of diploid random mating organisms. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 Dec. 2012 Genomicists think that the ancestors of sturgeons were diploid until all their chromosomes doubled and the fish became tetraploid. Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2020 So farmers plant sterile triploid plants along with diploid plants. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2020 This means humans are diploid, or contain two full sets of chromosomes. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 16 Jan. 2020
Noun
Therefore, triploid genetics won't eliminate diploids, as triploids are unsuitable for breeding. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 In another form of parthenogenesis, apomixis, reproductive cells replicate via mitosis, a process in which the cell duplicates to create two diploid cells—a kind of genetic copy-and-paste. Corryn Wetzel, National Geographic, 25 Aug. 2020 The triploids can’t self-pollinate (because their pollen is not viable) but bees can carry the viable diploid pollen to the triploid flowers to complete fertilization. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diploid.' 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

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Adjective

1907, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diploid was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near diploid

Cite this Entry

“Diploid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diploid. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

diploid

1 of 2 adjective
dip·​loid ˈdip-ˌlȯid How to pronounce diploid (audio)
: having the basic chromosome number doubled
diploidy noun
plural diploidies

diploid

2 of 2 noun
: a single cell, individual, or generation characterized by the diploid chromosome number
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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