To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of tandem repeat
: any of several identical DNA segments lying one after the other in a sequence
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for tandem repeat
tandem repeat
nountan·dem repeat | \ ˈtan-dəm- 
\
\Medical Definition of tandem repeat
: any of several identical DNA segments lying one after the other in a sequence
Although certain of these repetitive sequences are scattered throughout the DNA, others are reiterated many times in a row, so that they resemble the DNA equivalent of a stutter. These tandem repeats are usually found in critical regions, notably in the centromere …— Robert K. Moyzis, Scientific American, August 1991 The DNA fingerprint technique is based on the existence of regions of DNA that are made up of tandem repeats …— Roger Levin, Science, 1 Aug. 1986 — compare long terminal repeat
Comments on tandem repeat
What made you want to look up tandem repeat? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
The Eponym Quiz
- Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- The Eponym Quiz
Do you know these words that come from names?
Take the quiz - Liar, Liar Quiz
Test your knowledge of words for lies, liars, and those being lied to. In other words, everyone.
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Add Diction
Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.
Play the game
Share tandem repeat
Time Traveler for tandem repeat
The first known use of tandem repeat was in 1973
See more words from the same year