heterogametic

adjective

het·​ero·​ga·​met·​ic ˌhe-tə-rō-gə-ˈme-tik How to pronounce heterogametic (audio)
: forming two kinds of gametes of which one produces male offspring and the other female offspring
the human male is heterogametic
heterogamety noun

Examples of heterogametic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In humans females are homogametic, XX, and males are heterogametic, XY. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2011

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

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heterogametic was in 1910

Dictionary Entries Near heterogametic

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

heterogametic

adjective
het·​ero·​ga·​met·​ic -gə-ˈmet-ik How to pronounce heterogametic (audio) -ˈmēt- How to pronounce heterogametic (audio)
: forming two kinds of gametes of which one determines offspring of one sex and the other determines offspring of the opposite sex
the human male is heterogametic
heterogamety noun
plural heterogameties
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