heterogeneity
noun
het·ero·ge·ne·i·ty
ˌhe-tə-rō-jə-ˈnē-ə-tē 
ˌhe-trō-
: the quality or state of consisting of dissimilar or diverse elements : the quality or state of being heterogeneous
cultural heterogeneity
Synonyms
Examples of heterogeneity in a Sentence
the cultural heterogeneity of its residents is a point of pride for the city
Recent Examples on the Web
Our older politicians may have a more diverse profile of health conditions than their younger colleagues because of the heterogeneity of aging.
—
Anna Chodos, STAT, 4 Oct. 2023
If these pictures appear to have little in common beyond Dillon’s predilection for them, their heterogeneity is in part his point.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2023
According to Ross Dawson and Steve Bynghall, crowdsourcing is a participative online activity in which the organization proposes to a group of individuals of varying knowledge, heterogeneity and number, via an open call, to voluntarily undertake tasks solving current problems.
—Albana Vrioni, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2022
Though there is heterogeneity in practice workflow, in general, oncologists traditionally see patients only after the formal diagnosis has been made, and thus play a limited role in the tumultuous period preceding a cancer diagnosis.
—Samyukta Mullangi and Vinayak Venkataraman, STAT, 31 May 2023
Examining mixed microbial populations representative of distinct microbiomes – and linking growth rate to identity – would provide unprecedented resolution on interspecies heterogeneity and broader ecosystem function.
—Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2016
Insights to heterogeneity of crystal mush by S. Storm and others.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 11 Dec. 2010
These rates are set using health technology assessments that typically do not acknowledge the heterogeneity of treatment effects, despite a rapidly expanding body of scientific evidence demonstrating that the effects of a drug often vary considerably among different subpopulations of patients.
—Edward Abrahams, STAT, 25 Sep. 2020
Environmental heterogeneity is considered to be important1, yet diversity in seemingly homogeneous environments is nonetheless observed...
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2011
See More
Anna Chodos, STAT, 4 Oct. 2023
If these pictures appear to have little in common beyond Dillon’s predilection for them, their heterogeneity is in part his point.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2023
According to Ross Dawson and Steve Bynghall, crowdsourcing is a participative online activity in which the organization proposes to a group of individuals of varying knowledge, heterogeneity and number, via an open call, to voluntarily undertake tasks solving current problems.
—Albana Vrioni, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2022
Though there is heterogeneity in practice workflow, in general, oncologists traditionally see patients only after the formal diagnosis has been made, and thus play a limited role in the tumultuous period preceding a cancer diagnosis.
—Samyukta Mullangi and Vinayak Venkataraman, STAT, 31 May 2023
Examining mixed microbial populations representative of distinct microbiomes – and linking growth rate to identity – would provide unprecedented resolution on interspecies heterogeneity and broader ecosystem function.
—Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2016
Insights to heterogeneity of crystal mush by S. Storm and others.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 11 Dec. 2010
These rates are set using health technology assessments that typically do not acknowledge the heterogeneity of treatment effects, despite a rapidly expanding body of scientific evidence demonstrating that the effects of a drug often vary considerably among different subpopulations of patients.
—Edward Abrahams, STAT, 25 Sep. 2020
Environmental heterogeneity is considered to be important1, yet diversity in seemingly homogeneous environments is nonetheless observed...
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2011
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heterogeneity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
see heterogeneous
First Known Use
1641, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near heterogeneity
Cite this Entry
“Heterogeneity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterogeneity. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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Medical Definition
heterogeneity
noun
het·ero·ge·ne·ity
ˌhet-ə-rō-jə-ˈnē-ət-ē, ˌhe-trō-
plural heterogeneities
: the quality or state of being heterogeneous
More from Merriam-Webster on heterogeneity
Britannica English: Translation of heterogeneity for Arabic Speakers
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