Main Entry: pro·kary·ote

Variant(s): also pro·cary·ote \(ˈ)prō-ˈkar-ē-ˌōt\

Function: noun

: any of the typically unicellular microorganisms that lack a distinct nucleus and membrane-bound organelles and that are classified as a kingdom (Prokaryotae synonym Monera) or into two domains (Bacteria and Archaea)—compare eukaryote

—pro·kary·ot·ic also pro·cary·ot·ic \-ˌkar-ē-ˈät-ik\ adjective