X chromosome

noun

: a sex chromosome that usually occurs paired in each female cell and single in each male cell in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex chromosomes compare y chromosome

Examples of X chromosome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The scientists knew that females usually have just one copy of the mutation and in that case have tortoiseshell (partially orange) coloring, although in rare cases, a female cat will be orange if both X chromosomes have the mutation. —ArsTechnica, 31 May 2025

Male cats with an orange X chromosome will be orange, whereas females need to inherit this trait on both of their chromosomes to be completely orange. —Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 28 May 2025

Hiroyuki Sasaki/Kyushu University Without getting too deep into the genetics, the X chromosome holds the code for black or orange pigmentation (white is driven by another mechanism). —New Atlas, 24 May 2025

As with other mammals, female cats have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y. —Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for X chromosome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome
• monochrome

Kids Definition

X chromosome

noun

: a sex chromosome that is associated with femaleness and usually occurs paired in each female cell and single in each male cell in organisms (as human beings) in which the male normally has two unlike sex chromosomes compare y chromosome

Medical Definition

X chromosome

noun

: a sex chromosome that usually occurs paired in each female cell and single in each male cell in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex chromosomes compare y chromosome