chromosome

noun

chro·​mo·​some ˈkrō-mə-ˌsōm How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
-ˌzōm
: any of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing structures of cellular organisms that are located in the nucleus of eukaryotes, are usually ring-shaped in prokaryotes (such as bacteria), and contain all or most of the genes of the organism
also : the genetic material of a virus compare chromatin
chromosomal
ˌkrō-mə-ˈsō-məl How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
-ˈzō-
adjective
chromosomally
ˌkrō-mə-ˈsō-mə-lē How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
-ˈzō-
adverb

Examples of chromosome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Telomere attrition: Shorter telomeres (DNA sequences at the end of a chromosome) are what cause visible aging signs like wrinkles and slower cell regeneration. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024 Then the words got technical and statistical: Y chromosomes, mtDNA, an occurrence 9.04 million times more likely. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024 This increase in carb genes suggests that there must be a powerful survival advantage in having chromosomes with multiple copies of amylase genes. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Sep. 2024 Telomeres, the little ‘caps’ found at the end of chromosomes, are made from DNA sequences and proteins and are required for cell division. —New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chromosome 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Chromosom, from chromo- chromo- + -som -some entry 3

Note: The term Chromosom was first suggested by the German anatomist Heinrich Wilhelm Gottfried von Waldeyer-Hartz in "Ueber Karyokinese und ihre Beziehungen zu den Befruchtungsvorgängen," Archiv für mikroskopische Anatomie, Band 23 (1888), p. 27: "In ester Linier möchte ich mir jedoch den Vorschlag erlauben, diejenigen Dinge, welche soeben mit Boveri als 'chromatische Elemente' bezeichnet wurden, an denen sich einer der wichtigsten Akten der Karyokinese, die Flemming'sche Längsteilung vollzieht, mit einem besonderen terminus technicus 'Chromosomen' zu belegen. Der Name 'primäre Schleifen' passt nicht, da wir bei weitem nicht immer eine Schleifenform für diese Dinge haben. 'Chromatische Elemente' ist zu lang. Andererseits sind sie so wichtig, dass ein besonderer kürzerer Name wünschenswerth erscheint. Plattne … gebraucht den Ausdruck 'Karyosomen'; da dieser aber zu sehr an Kernkörperchen erinnert, dürfte eine andere Bezeichnung vorzuziehen sein. Ist die von mir vorgeschlagene praktisch verwendbar, so wird sie sich wohl einbürgern, sonst möge sie bald der Vergessenheit anheimfallen." ("In the first place I must allow myself to suggest a new technical term, 'chromosomes,' for those things which have been designated by Boveri 'chromatic elements,' at which one of the most important acts of karyokinesis, Flemming's longitudinal splitting, is carried out. The name 'primary loops' is not suitable, since it is by no means the case that these things always have the form of a loop. 'Chromatic elements' is too long. On the other hand, they are so important that a special shorter name seems desirable. Plattner uses the expression 'karyosomes,' but as this too readily brings to mind nucleoli, another name is to be preferred. If the name I propose is serviceable, it will become customary, otherwise it will soon pass into oblivion.")

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chromosome was in 1889

Phrases Containing chromosome

Dictionary Entries Near chromosome

chromosomal vesicle

chromosome

chromosome number

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Chromosome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chromosome. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

chromosome

noun
chro·​mo·​some ˈkrō-mə-ˌsōm How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
-ˌzōm
: one of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing bodies of a cell nucleus that contain all or most of the genes of an organism and can be seen especially during cell division
chromosomal
ˌkrō-mə-ˈsō-məl How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
-ˈzō-
adjective

Medical Definition

chromosome

noun
chro·​mo·​some ˈkrō-mə-ˌsōm, -ˌzōm How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
: any of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing structures of cellular organisms that are located in the nucleus of eukaryotes, are usually ring-shaped in prokaryotes (as bacteria), and contain all or most of the genes of the organism
also : the genetic material of a virus
chromosomal
ˌkrō-mə-ˈsō-məl, -ˈzō- How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
adjective
chromosomally
-mə-lē How to pronounce chromosome (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on chromosome

Nglish: Translation of chromosome for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of chromosome for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chromosome

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