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

Tough days hit before the chemo did. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026

However, going through chemo at the same time bonded the two even more, Seifert says. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026

My wife had just started a new chemo medication. —New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Hardstark Someone told us during a meet-and-greet that her doctor gave her permission to miss her first week of chemo to come to that show. —Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026

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