Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

heterogametic

adjective het·ero·ga·met·ic \ ˌhe-tə-rō-gə-ˈme-tik \

Definition of heterogametic

: forming two kinds of gametes of which one produces male offspring and the other female offspring
  • the human male is heterogametic
—

heterogamety

play \ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈga-mə-tē\ noun

First Known Use of heterogametic

1910

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

heterogametic

adjective het·ero·ga·met·ic \ -gə-ˈmet-ik , -ˈmēt- \

medical Definition of heterogametic

: forming two kinds of gametes of which one determines offspring of one sex and the other determines offspring of the opposite sex
  • the human male is heterogametic
—

heterogamety

play \-ˈgam-ət-ē\ noun, plural heterogameties

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up heterogametic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

gaffer

play

a lighting electrician on a movie set

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  2. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  3. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  4. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

  5. troll 'to harass, criticize, or antagonize especially by disparaging or mocking public statements'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

heterogametic

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games