chemo

1 of 2

noun

che·​mo ˈkē-(ˌ)mō How to pronounce chemo (audio)

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
Toby Keith Hopes to Be 'Out on the Road' This Fall as Stomach Cancer Tumor Shrinks by a Third Keith announced in June 2022 that he’d been diagnosed with stomach cancer the previous fall, and was receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 15 July 2023 Surgery, chemo, perhaps a stay in rehab and possibly radiation therapy will be prescribed by my oncologist. Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023 Advertisement Following the chemo and a short break, Staley began six weeks of radiation, every morning, Monday through Friday. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2023 That is the part that hit me the hardest — the idea of chemo. USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2023 After the ninth round of chemo, scans showed Staley to be cancer free. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2023 Evert still had a hard road ahead, with six cycles of chemo, but her chances of recovery were 90 percent. Sally Jenkins, Anchorage Daily News, 3 July 2023 That shortage, in turn, has contributed to a shortage of carboplatin, a chemo drug that can be substituted for cisplatin and was also made at the same Intas plant. Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 27 June 2023 So far, neither a group of experts organized by the Biden administration nor prominent medical organizations have found a way to avoid rationing the crucial chemo drugs. Christina Jewett, New York Times, 26 June 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

by shortening

Combining form

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

First Known Use

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chemo was in 1977

Dictionary Entries Near chemo

Cite this Entry

“Chemo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemo. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

chemo-

combining form
: chemical : chemistry
chemotaxis
Etymology

Combining form

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

Medical Definition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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