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X chromosome
noun
: a sex chromosome that usually occurs paired in each female cell and single in each male cell in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex chromosomes compare y chromosome
Examples of X chromosome in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two others formed their fingers into an X (to signify X chromosomes) after losing.
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Mark Zeigler, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2024
In the cells of every female human being, there are two X chromosomes and no Y. A fertilized egg that has two Xs will grow into a girl.
—
Outside Online, 31 July 2024
At the time of their disqualifications, the president of the International Boxing Association, which governs the World Boxing Championships, alleged that the boxers’ chromosome tests came back as XY (women typically have two X chromosomes, while men typically have an X and a Y chromosome).
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Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 30 July 2024
These new roles came to light from efforts to understand the process of X-inactivation, wherein one of the two X chromosomes carried by females is silenced, all 1,000 or so of its genes (in humans) being turned off.
—
Philip Ball, Scientific American, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for X chromosome ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-05--19-59-30-rvhre/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar.svg)
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'X chromosome.' 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
1911, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near X chromosome
Cite this Entry
“X chromosome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/X%20chromosome. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
Kids Definition
X chromosome
noun
: a sex chromosome that is associated with femaleness and usually occurs paired in each female cell and single in each male cell in organisms (as human beings) in which the male normally has two unlike sex chromosomes compare y chromosome
Medical Definition
X chromosome
noun
: a sex chromosome that usually occurs paired in each female cell and single in each male cell in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex chromosomes compare y chromosome
More from Merriam-Webster on X chromosome
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about X chromosome
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