kar·yo·type
ˈker-ē-ə-ˌtīp 
ˈka-rē-
: the chromosomal characteristics of a cell
also
: the chromosomes themselves or a representation of them
karyotyped; karyotyping; karyotypes
: to determine or analyze the karyotype of
Examples of karyotype in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
At that point, the husbandry team will conduct a karyotype to look at the pup’s chromosomes and determine if the shark came from one parent or two.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Enlarge / Rowley's 1973 partial karyotype showing the 9;22 translocation
Rowley, 1973.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Aug. 2024
The current process in prenatal diagnostic testing is complicated, as patients and providers must choose from multiple tests, each designed and calibrated to analyze only a subset of genetic changes, including karyotype, FISH, microarray, gene panels and exome sequencing.
—Haim Neerman, Forbes, 7 June 2022
An analysis of the only usable fragment of femur left in the grave found evidence of an XXY karyotype, consistent with what is known today as Klinefelter syndrome.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN, 12 Aug. 2021
Without karyotype comparisons of the cases and the control group, there’s no way to determine with confidence whether vaccination is linked to loss.
—Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 13 Sep. 2017
Most karyotype abnormalities, for example, miscarry.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2012
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Used whole genome sequencing and karyotyping to screen edit cell lines.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
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Noun
What about women who have Turner syndrome or only have one X chromosome or men with Klinefelter syndrome with an XXY karyotype?
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
At that point, the husbandry team will conduct a karyotype to look at the pup’s chromosomes and determine if the shark came from one parent or two.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Enlarge / Rowley's 1973 partial karyotype showing the 9;22 translocation
Rowley, 1973.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Aug. 2024
The current process in prenatal diagnostic testing is complicated, as patients and providers must choose from multiple tests, each designed and calibrated to analyze only a subset of genetic changes, including karyotype, FISH, microarray, gene panels and exome sequencing.
—Haim Neerman, Forbes, 7 June 2022
An analysis of the only usable fragment of femur left in the grave found evidence of an XXY karyotype, consistent with what is known today as Klinefelter syndrome.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN, 12 Aug. 2021
Without karyotype comparisons of the cases and the control group, there’s no way to determine with confidence whether vaccination is linked to loss.
—Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 13 Sep. 2017
Most karyotype abnormalities, for example, miscarry.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2012
Verb
Turner pointed to karyotyping, a test that examines the chromosomes in a sample of cells, as a necessary form of testing.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Used whole genome sequencing and karyotyping to screen edit cell lines.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Karyotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/karyotype. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
karyotype
1 of 2 noun
kar·yo·type
ˈkar-ē-ə-ˌtīp
: the chromosomal characteristics of a cell
also
: the chromosomes themselves or a representation of them
karyotype
2 of 2 transitive verb
karyotyped; karyotyping
: to determine or analyze the karyotype of
karyotyped a newborn infant with a suspected genetic anomaly
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