prokaryotic
adjective
pro·kary·ot·ic
(ˌ)prō-ˌker-ē-ˈä-tik 
-ˌka-rē-ˈä-tik
: of, relating to, or being a typically unicellular organism (as of the domains Bacteria and Archaea) lacking a distinct nucleus and membrane-bound organelles : being or characteristic of a prokaryote
prokaryotic genes
prokaryotic microorganisms
Examples of prokaryotic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Microbes that can form such a mass — and many can, as biofilms are one of the planet’s most common life forms, encompassing 40% to 80% of all prokaryotic life — gained the ability to anchor themselves to stationary surfaces, such as the grooves of our teeth or the bumpy exterior of a boulder.
—
Carrie Arnold, Quanta Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
According to this theory, a prokaryotic cell called an archaeon (and specifically called an Asgard archaeon) consumed another prokaryotic cell, a bacterium, a couple billion years ago, creating a sort of composite of the two.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Carrie Arnold, Quanta Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
According to this theory, a prokaryotic cell called an archaeon (and specifically called an Asgard archaeon) consumed another prokaryotic cell, a bacterium, a couple billion years ago, creating a sort of composite of the two.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2022
Cite this Entry
“Prokaryotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prokaryotic. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share