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Y chromosome
noun
: a sex chromosome that is characteristic of male cells in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex chromosomes compare x chromosome
Examples of Y chromosome in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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A simple difference in the genetic code – two X chromosomes versus one X chromosome and one Y chromosome – can lead to major differences in heart disease.
—Amy Huebschmann, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
The ovum carries an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry either an X or a Y chromosome.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 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).
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 30 July 2024
Females usually have two X chromosomes, while males tend to have one X and one Y chromosome.
—Devika Rao, theweek, 14 Mar. 2024
The tests strongly indicated that Eston had the same Y chromosome mutations seen in the Jefferson lineage.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2024
How the female body handles its extra X chromosome (the male body has just one plus a Y chromosome) might be a factor that helps explain why women are more susceptible to these types of disorders, a new study has suggested.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024
Female cells have two X chromosomes, whereas males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (at least in mammals).
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024
The X chromosome is packed with hundreds of genes, far more than males’ much smaller Y chromosome.
—TIME, 2 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Y 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 Y chromosome
Cite this Entry
“Y chromosome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Y%20chromosome. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
Y chromosome
noun
: a sex chromosome that is associated with maleness and occurs only in male cells paired with an X chromosome in organisms (as human beings) in which the male normally has two unlike sex chromosomes compare x chromosome
Medical Definition
Y chromosome
noun
: a sex chromosome that is characteristic of male cells in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex chromosomes compare x chromosome
More from Merriam-Webster on Y chromosome
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Y chromosome
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