epigenome

noun

epi·​ge·​nome ˌe-pə-ˈjē-ˌnōm 

: the complement of chemical compounds that modify the expression and function of the genome

Access to the genes is controlled by the epigenome, a layer of millions of proteins and other marks that attach themselves to the genome.

—Nicholas Wade

Working out which genes are switched on or not involves looking at the epigenome, or the chemical "methyl" tags attached to genes.

—New Scientist

Examples of epigenome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, in a new review article, researchers at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UH Mānoa) have investigated how gut bacteria can affect our epigenome – the chemical tags on DNA and RNA that turn genes on or off without altering the underlying genetic code. —New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2025

During methylation, a methyl group in the epigenome turns genes off. —Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025

In the past decade, researchers have focused on the epigenome, a host of factors—some heritable—that influence how genetic information is copied and read at the cellular level. —Byandrew Curry, science.org, 27 Feb. 2025

Sinclair theorizes that epigenomes may provide an in for scientists to intervene in the aging process, due to their connections with bodily functions. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

epi- + genome, after epigenetic

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for epigenome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome