genome

noun

ge·​nome ˈjē-ˌnōm 

: one haploid set of chromosomes with the genes they contain

broadly : the genetic material of an organism compare proteome

Examples of genome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The technology scans the entire genome for single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs—the spots where one person’s genome might have a T, while another’s has a C—for associations with human behaviors. —Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025

This alteration confers naked mole-rat cGAS with a greater capacity to stabilize the genome, counteract cellular senescence and organ aging, and promote extended life span and health span. —New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2025

But developing antigens tailored to different cancer types requires whole-genome sequencing or complex bioinformatics screenings, the researchers explained. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

Cats possess 38 chromosomes in their genome! —PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German Genom, from Gen gene + -om (as in Chromosom chromosome)

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing genome

• genome editing

Rhymes for genome

• biome
• megohm
• nichrome
• noisome
• prodrome
• radome
• rhizome
• shalom
• syndrome
• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb

Medical Definition

genome

noun

ge·​nome ˈjē-ˌnōm 

: one haploid set of chromosomes with the genes they contain

broadly : the genetic material of an organism

The idea behind sequencing an organism's genome—decoding, letter by letter, the message contained in every last one of its genes—is that it would tell us a lot about how the organism works.

—Lori Oliwenstein, Discover