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
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.
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

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 1 Dec. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on overdominance

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!