chromosome
noun
chro·mo·some
ˈkrō-mə-ˌsōm 
-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
Examples of chromosome in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Telomeres are basically the caps at the end of your chromosomes that keep your DNA intact.
—
Nicholas St. Fleur, STAT, 5 July 2024
According to the study, life expectancy in 1929 for children with Down syndrome, a condition caused by an extra partial or full chromosome, was 9 years.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 27 June 2024
In his mind, there was no chromosome test that needed to be given before a particular task could be undertaken.
—John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 16 June 2024
The answer was in a region of a chromosome that contains a gene, known as Rab18, which also helps with the migration of neural crest cells.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for chromosome 
Nicholas St. Fleur, STAT, 5 July 2024
According to the study, life expectancy in 1929 for children with Down syndrome, a condition caused by an extra partial or full chromosome, was 9 years.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 27 June 2024
In his mind, there was no chromosome test that needed to be given before a particular task could be undertaken.
—John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 16 June 2024
The answer was in a region of a chromosome that contains a gene, known as Rab18, which also helps with the migration of neural crest cells.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for chromosome
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chromosome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near chromosome
Cite this Entry
“Chromosome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chromosome. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chromosome
noun
chro·mo·some
ˈkrō-mə-ˌsōm
-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
Medical Definition
chromosome
noun
chro·mo·some
ˈkrō-mə-ˌsōm, -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 (as bacteria), and contain all or most of the genes of the organism
also
: the genetic material of a virus
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