autosomal

adjective

au·​to·​so·​mal ˌȯ-tə-ˈsō-məl How to pronounce autosomal (audio)
: of, belonging to, located on, or transmitted by an autosome
autosomal genes/inheritance
autosomal dominant/recessive disorders
… a genetic disorder that is passed down in autosomal recessive fashion—in other words, you have to inherit an abnormal gene from each parent for the trait to appear.Terrence Monmaney
autosomally adverb
an autosomally recessive condition

Examples of autosomal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Key Takeaways Huntington’s disease is a genetic condition that is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 19 Jan. 2026 Further examinations revealed that the golden retriever TNNI3 mutation is autosomal recessive. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025 Co-founded by Anne Wojcicki, a biotech analyst, 23andMe used autosomal DNA, which could better trace recent relatives on both the patrilineal and the matrilineal lines. Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025 For Cowden syndrome patients who aren't aware that the autosomal dominant condition runs in their family, most figure it out in their teens or 20s. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for autosomal

Word History

Etymology

autosome + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of autosomal was in 1911

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Cite this Entry

“Autosomal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autosomal. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.

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