primordium

noun

pri·​mor·​di·​um prī-ˈmȯr-dē-əm How to pronounce primordium (audio)
plural primordia prī-ˈmȯr-dē-ə How to pronounce primordium (audio)
: the rudiment or commencement of a part or organ

Examples of primordium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When the primordia start maturing into oocytes or testes, head-formation genes (different from the Hox genes), which are also responsible for forming a head in other creatures, become active in the middle of the stock body. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023 The worm has organs called gonad primordia on the underside of its posterior end. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023 Strange figures can emerge from the archival primordium—figures such as Loab. Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2022 Sun spells out a half-century of empirical research, along with the roles of complex genetic signals, hormones, chromosomes and a small group of cells called the bipotential primordium. Heidi Stevens, chicagotribune.com, 26 Feb. 2021

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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Primordium, borrowed from Latin prīmōrdium (in plural prīmōrdia) "beginnings, origin, source, elementary stage" — more at primordial

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of primordium was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near primordium

Cite this Entry

“Primordium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primordium. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

primordium

noun
pri·​mor·​di·​um -ē-əm How to pronounce primordium (audio)
plural primordia -ē-ə How to pronounce primordium (audio)
: the rudiment or commencement of a part or organ : anlage
the gonadal primordium
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