heterogametic
adjective
het·ero·ga·met·ic
ˌhe-tə-rō-gə-ˈme-tik 
: forming two kinds of gametes of which one produces male offspring and the other female offspring
the human male is heterogametic
Examples of heterogametic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In humans females are homogametic, XX, and males are heterogametic, XY.
—
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2011
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2011
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heterogametic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1910, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near heterogametic
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“Heterogametic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterogametic. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Medical Definition
heterogametic
adjective
het·ero·ga·met·ic
-gə-ˈmet-ik
-ˈmēt-
-ˈmēt-
: 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
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