tetraploid

1 of 2

adjective

tet·​ra·​ploid ˈte-trə-ˌplȯid How to pronounce tetraploid (audio)
: having or being a chromosome number four times the monoploid number
a tetraploid cell
tetraploidy noun

tetraploid

2 of 2

noun

: a tetraploid individual

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Genomicists think that the ancestors of sturgeons were diploid until all their chromosomes doubled and the fish became tetraploid. Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2020
Noun
Researcher Rodrigo Hamede Ross found that these devils had a DFTD strain with four chromosome copies (tetraploid) instead of the usual two (diploid). Leah Shaffer, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2016 Two polyploid gametes from different species, each with double the genetic information they were supposed to have, fused, and created a tetraploid: an creature with 4 sets of chromosomes. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2011 Tetraploids are bred to create larger flowers and denser foliage than normal, and are identified on plant tags when plants are purchased. Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 26 Apr. 2017 Slow-growing hostas include the miniatures, those with a lot of white on the leaves, and the tetraploids (that is, those with four basic sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two, one from each parent). Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 26 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tetraploid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Adjective

1912, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tetraploid was in 1912

Dictionary Entries Near tetraploid

Cite this Entry

“Tetraploid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetraploid. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

tetraploid

1 of 2 adjective
tet·​ra·​ploid ˈte-trə-ˌplȯid How to pronounce tetraploid (audio)
: having or being a chromosome number four times the monoploid number
a tetraploid cell
tetraploidy noun
plural tetraploidies

tetraploid

2 of 2 noun
: a tetraploid individual
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