translocation

noun

trans·​lo·​ca·​tion ˌtran(t)s-lō-ˈkā-shən 

ˌtranz-

: the act, process, or an instance of changing location or position: such as

a

: the conduction of soluble material (such as metabolic products) from one part of a plant to another

b

: transfer of part of a chromosome to a different position especially on a nonhomologous chromosome

especially : the exchange of parts between nonhomologous chromosomes

translocate

ˈtran(t)s-lō-ˌkāt 

ˈtranz-lō-

(ˌ)tran(t)s-ˈlō- 

(ˌ)tranz-ˈlō-

verb

Examples of translocation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dr Andrews’ specialty is developing translocation programs for species recovery. —Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Strategic habitat conservation efforts — such as conservation ranching, coastal restoration and seabird translocation — are already making a difference in some regions. —Sarah Metz, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025

About 50% of people with multiple myeloma have a chromosome translocation, where parts of different chromosomes switch places. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 14 Feb. 2025

Researchers have found that a translocation mutation (when part of a chromosome attaches to a different one) may cause the oncogenes to multiply too quickly and lead to cancer.2 Is Multiple Myeloma Hereditary? Multiple myeloma may be partly hereditary. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for translocation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

translocation

noun

trans·​lo·​ca·​tion ˌtran(t)s-lō-ˈkā-shən, ˌtranz- 

1

: transfer of part of a chromosome to a different position especially on a nonhomologous chromosome

especially : the exchange of parts between nonhomologous chromosomes

2

: a chromosome or part of a chromosome that has undergone translocation

translocate

-ˈlō-ˌkāt 

verb

translocated; translocating