chromosome

noun

chro·​mo·​some ˈkrō-mə-ˌsōm How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
-ˌzōm
: any of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing structures of cellular organisms that are located in the nucleus of eukaryotes, are usually ring-shaped in prokaryotes (such as bacteria), and contain all or most of the genes of the organism
also : the genetic material of a virus compare chromatin
chromosomal adjective
chromosomally adverb

Examples of chromosome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
To fully understand this complex swath of the American electorate, there’s been no shortage of wide-lens examinations into the political leanings of the Y chromosome set. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 In 2016, Eloise was diagnosed with a deletion in chromosome 8. Emily Weaver, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Diane Herbst, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024 Genetic research on plants, fruit flies, livestock and humans revealed more and more about how chromosomes and genes worked. Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chromosome 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Chromosom, from chromo- chromo- + -som -some entry 3

Note: The term Chromosom was first suggested by the German anatomist Heinrich Wilhelm Gottfried von Waldeyer-Hartz in "Ueber Karyokinese und ihre Beziehungen zu den Befruchtungsvorgängen," Archiv für mikroskopische Anatomie, Band 23 (1888), p. 27: "In ester Linier möchte ich mir jedoch den Vorschlag erlauben, diejenigen Dinge, welche soeben mit Boveri als 'chromatische Elemente' bezeichnet wurden, an denen sich einer der wichtigsten Akten der Karyokinese, die Flemming'sche Längsteilung vollzieht, mit einem besonderen terminus technicus 'Chromosomen' zu belegen. Der Name 'primäre Schleifen' passt nicht, da wir bei weitem nicht immer eine Schleifenform für diese Dinge haben. 'Chromatische Elemente' ist zu lang. Andererseits sind sie so wichtig, dass ein besonderer kürzerer Name wünschenswerth erscheint. Plattne … gebraucht den Ausdruck 'Karyosomen'; da dieser aber zu sehr an Kernkörperchen erinnert, dürfte eine andere Bezeichnung vorzuziehen sein. Ist die von mir vorgeschlagene praktisch verwendbar, so wird sie sich wohl einbürgern, sonst möge sie bald der Vergessenheit anheimfallen." ("In the first place I must allow myself to suggest a new technical term, 'chromosomes,' for those things which have been designated by Boveri 'chromatic elements,' at which one of the most important acts of karyokinesis, Flemming's longitudinal splitting, is carried out. The name 'primary loops' is not suitable, since it is by no means the case that these things always have the form of a loop. 'Chromatic elements' is too long. On the other hand, they are so important that a special shorter name seems desirable. Plattner uses the expression 'karyosomes,' but as this too readily brings to mind nucleoli, another name is to be preferred. If the name I propose is serviceable, it will become customary, otherwise it will soon pass into oblivion.")

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chromosome was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near chromosome

Cite this Entry

“Chromosome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chromosome. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

chromosome

noun
chro·​mo·​some ˈkrō-mə-ˌsōm How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
-ˌzōm
: one of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing bodies of a cell nucleus that contain all or most of the genes of an organism and can be seen especially during cell division
chromosomal adjective

Medical Definition

chromosome

noun
chro·​mo·​some ˈkrō-mə-ˌsōm, -ˌzōm How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
: any of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing structures of cellular organisms that are located in the nucleus of eukaryotes, are usually ring-shaped in prokaryotes (as bacteria), and contain all or most of the genes of the organism
also : the genetic material of a virus
chromosomal adjective
chromosomally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on chromosome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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