homozygous
adjective
ho·mo·zy·gous
ˌhō-mə-ˈzī-gəs 
ˌhä-
: having the two genes at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes identical for one or more loci
homozygously
adverb
Examples of homozygous in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Experts had previously assumed that homozygous donor cells were needed to cure HIV, meaning that two copies of the mutant version would be essential to combat the existing virus, but the new study shows that HIV remission is still possible with just one copy.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025
Those who are homozygous or have two copies of the mutation are at lower risk.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 27 Dec. 2023
And when a mutation eventually created new homozygous clonal raiders, the dormant supergene traits were reactivated and the miniature queenlike mutants appeared overnight.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023
Not only would doctors look for a donor to address his leukemia, but also one who carried a rare mutation, homozygous CCR5 delta 32 mutation, which makes people resistant to most strains of HIV infection.
—Ema Sasic, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2023
The researchers estimated that people who were homozygous (had two copies) of this protective gene variant involved in antigen presentation were 40 percent more likely to survive the plague than those with two copies of a deleterious variant, which encodes a broken protein.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 19 Oct. 2022
Think back to the example of the chromosome with long homozygous stretches.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2013
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Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025
Those who are homozygous or have two copies of the mutation are at lower risk.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 27 Dec. 2023
And when a mutation eventually created new homozygous clonal raiders, the dormant supergene traits were reactivated and the miniature queenlike mutants appeared overnight.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023
Not only would doctors look for a donor to address his leukemia, but also one who carried a rare mutation, homozygous CCR5 delta 32 mutation, which makes people resistant to most strains of HIV infection.
—Ema Sasic, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2023
The researchers estimated that people who were homozygous (had two copies) of this protective gene variant involved in antigen presentation were 40 percent more likely to survive the plague than those with two copies of a deleterious variant, which encodes a broken protein.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 19 Oct. 2022
Think back to the example of the chromosome with long homozygous stretches.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2013
Cite this Entry
“Homozygous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homozygous. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
homozygous
adjective
ho·mo·zy·gous
ˌhō-mə-ˈzī-gəs
: having at least one gene pair that contains identical genes
a pea plant homozygous for yellow seed
Medical Definition
homozygous
adjective
ho·mo·zy·gous
-ˈzī-gəs
: having the two genes at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes identical for one or more loci compare heterozygous
homozygously
adverb
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