dyad

noun

dy·​ad ˈdī-ˌad 

-əd

1

: pair

specifically, sociology : two individuals (such as husband and wife) maintaining a sociologically significant relationship

2

genetics : a meiotic chromosome after separation of the two homologous (see homologous sense 1a(2)) members of a tetrad

3

mathematics : an operator (see operator sense 3a) indicated by writing the symbols of two vectors (see vector entry 1 sense 1a) without a dot or cross between

In the equation D = AB, AB is a dyad.

dyadic

dī-ˈa-dik 

adjective

dyadically

dī-ˈa-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• brace
• couple
• couplet
• duo
• pair
• twain
• twosome

Examples of dyad in a Sentence

the book examines the doctor-patient dyad from several perspectives

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the study period, researchers identified 52 full sibling dyads, 90 half sibling dyads, and 72 third-degree dyads among the sampled individuals. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024

Interpersonal gazing in dyads, when the two individuals in the dyad stare at each other in the eyes, is investigated in 20 healthy young individuals at low illumination for 10-min. —Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 25 Aug. 2015

Eros refutes this optimism: sometimes people choose to lock themselves into dyads of exploitative misery. —Agnes Callard, Harper's Magazine, 7 Feb. 2022

Some similar relationships flower into productive, loving dyads. —Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin dyad-, dyas, from Greek, from dyo — see dy-

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

dyad

noun

dy·​ad

variants also diad

ˈdī-ˌad  -əd 

1

: two individuals (as husband and wife) maintaining a sociologically significant relationship

2

: a meiotic chromosome after separation of the two homologous members of a tetrad

dyadic

dī-ˈad-ik 

adjective

dyadically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb