metachromatic
adjective
meta·chro·mat·ic
ˌme-tə-krō-ˈma-tik 
1
: staining or characterized by staining in a different color or shade from what is typical
metachromatic granules in a bacterium
2
: having the capacity to stain different elements of a cell or tissue in different colors or shades
metachromatic stains
Examples of metachromatic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The advisory committee was set to vote on May 9 whether to recommend adding two rare genetic diseases to the panel: metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
—
Alana Semuels, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
In Europe, a product approved for a deadly neurological disorder known as metachromatic leukodystrophy was given list prices of up to $3.9 million.
—Stephanie Nolen Dado Galdieri, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023
The couple’s children were born with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), which causes muscle weakness, progressive loss of vision and eventual paralysis.
—Diane Moca, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022
So much has changed for them since the early months of the pandemic, when the couple's middle daughter, Olivia, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called metachromatic leukodystrophyf, or MLD.
—Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2020
My daughter Calliope has a terminal illness called metachromatic leukodystrophy.
—Maria Kefalas, STAT, 2 Dec. 2019
Pennsylvania is one of the few states in the U.S. where someone diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy gets fast-tracked for Medicaid.
—Maria Kefalas, STAT, 2 Dec. 2019
The four-year-old has a rare disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy that could rob him of the ability to walk, sit and hold up his own head within the next year.
—Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 18 Nov. 2019
Children with the most severe form of metachromatic leukodystrophy develop symptoms like trouble walking or poor muscle tone before the age of 30 months.
—Vibhav Rangarajan, STAT, 5 June 2018
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Alana Semuels, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
In Europe, a product approved for a deadly neurological disorder known as metachromatic leukodystrophy was given list prices of up to $3.9 million.
—Stephanie Nolen Dado Galdieri, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023
The couple’s children were born with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), which causes muscle weakness, progressive loss of vision and eventual paralysis.
—Diane Moca, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022
So much has changed for them since the early months of the pandemic, when the couple's middle daughter, Olivia, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called metachromatic leukodystrophyf, or MLD.
—Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2020
My daughter Calliope has a terminal illness called metachromatic leukodystrophy.
—Maria Kefalas, STAT, 2 Dec. 2019
Pennsylvania is one of the few states in the U.S. where someone diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy gets fast-tracked for Medicaid.
—Maria Kefalas, STAT, 2 Dec. 2019
The four-year-old has a rare disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy that could rob him of the ability to walk, sit and hold up his own head within the next year.
—Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 18 Nov. 2019
Children with the most severe form of metachromatic leukodystrophy develop symptoms like trouble walking or poor muscle tone before the age of 30 months.
—Vibhav Rangarajan, STAT, 5 June 2018
Cite this Entry
“Metachromatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metachromatic. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
metachromatic
adjective
meta·chro·mat·ic
-krō-ˈmat-ik
1
: staining or characterized by staining in a different color or shade from what is typical
metachromatic granules
2
: having the capacity to stain different elements of a cell or tissue in different colors or shades
metachromatic stains
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