overdominance

noun

over·​dom·​i·​nance ˌō-vər-ˈdä-mə-nən(t)s How to pronounce overdominance (audio)
-ˈdäm-nən(t)s
: the condition wherein a heterozygote produces a phenotype more extreme or better adapted than that of the homozygote
overdominant adjective

Examples of overdominance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One reason this may be is that there is overdominance, where heterozygotes have greater fitness than the homogyzotes. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2010 One technical aspect that concerns me about the arguments outlined in the above paper is the emphasis on overdominance and heterozygote advantage. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2013

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overdominance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overdominance was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near overdominance

Cite this Entry

“Overdominance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdominance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

overdominance

noun
over·​dom·​i·​nance -ˈdäm(-ə)-nən(t)s How to pronounce overdominance (audio)
: the property of having a heterozygote that produces a phenotype more extreme or better adapted than that of the homozygote
overdominant adjective

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