dedifferentiation

noun

de·​dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​a·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌdi-fə-ˌren-chē-ˈā-shən 

: reversion of specialized structures (such as cells) to a more generalized or primitive condition often as a preliminary to major physiological or structural change

dedifferentiate

(ˌ)dē-ˌdi-fə-ˈren-chē-ˌāt 

intransitive verb

Examples of dedifferentiation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The cellular dedifferentiation and rapid proliferation that power blastema formation are, in molecular terms, uncomfortably close to the processes that drive tumor development. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dedifferentiation

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Medical Definition

dedifferentiation

noun

de·​dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​a·​tion -ˌren-chē-ˈā-shən 

: reversion of specialized structures (as cells) to a more generalized or primitive condition often as a preliminary to major physiological or structural change