telomere

noun

telo·​mere ˈte-lə-ˌmir  ˈtē- 

: the natural end of a eukaryotic chromosome composed of a usually repetitive DNA sequence and serving to stabilize the chromosome

Examples of telomere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So the twin who was in space, his chromosomes got—the telomeres got altered. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

People exposed to early sugar limits also had longer leukocyte telomeres — protective caps on chromosomes that tend to shorten with age — equivalent to about two fewer years of biological aging. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

People who took vitamin D supplements also had longer telomeres. — Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 28 June 2026

Stress-relieving travel can also slow the shortening of telomeres, one of the indicators of biological age. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

telomere

noun

telo·​mere ˈtel-ə-ˌmi(ə)r  ˈtēl- 

: the natural end of a eukaryotic chromosome composed of a usually repetitive DNA sequence and serving to stabilize the chromosome

telomeric

ˌtel-ə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective