chemo

1 of 2

noun

che·​mo ˈkē-(ˌ)mō 

: chemotherapy

chemo-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or less commonly chemi-

1

: chemical : chemistry

chemotaxis

2

: chemically

chemisorb

Examples of chemo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After his second round of chemo, a PET scan showed no active lymphoma cells. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025

Hot chemo, Archer explains, has a better shot of penetrating and killing cancer cells, thus giving Jeremy more time. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025

This new drug has been a complete 180-degree switch from chemo. —Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025

By the time a patient finishes treatment, a nurse navigator has often been there for every major milestone—the last chemo infusion, the follow-up scans, the tears and the relief that come afterward. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

by shortening

Combining form

chem- (in chemical entry 1) + -o-

First Known Use

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chemo

• chemo brain

Rhymes for chemo

• fortissimo
• pianissimo

Kids Definition

chemo-

combining form

: chemical : chemistry

chemotaxis

Etymology

Combining form

scientific Latin, from Greek chēmeia "alchemy" — related to alchemy, chemistry

Medical Definition

chemo

noun

ˈkē-ˌmō 

: chemotherapy