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

Through anthropological analysis, circumstantial and material evidence, and multiple forms of DNA and genome testing, the DPAA was able to positively identify a set of remains as belonging to Chavez. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

Brown, Heuermann’s attorney, had argued whole genome sequencing has not yet been widely accepted by the scientific community and therefore shouldn’t be permitted. —Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026

Scientists have already sequenced the redwood genome — a massive undertaking given its size, which is nearly nine times larger than the human genome. —ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

Scientists sequenced the genomes of organisms to catalog all of their DNA, learning how genes encode the proteins that carry out life’s functions. —Stephen D. Turner, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026

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