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

For the study, the Tumat rhino’s genome was compared with specimens from 18,000 and 49,000 years ago. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026

Additionally, there was no evidence of a long-term gradual population decline within the genome. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Jan. 2026

Sequencing the genomes of such extinct megafauna can help identify the culprit behind their extinction, providing tools to counter the pervasive threats species face today. —Jeanne Timmons, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026

However, spontaneous and induced sleep promoted genome stability, suggesting that the evolution of sleep may have occurred to repair DNA damage and reduce cellular stress in simple nerve nets. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 Jan. 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