hemizygous

adjective

hemi·​zy·​gous ˌhe-mi-ˈzī-gəs How to pronounce hemizygous (audio)
: having or characterized by one or more genes (as in a genetic deficiency or in an X chromosome paired with a Y chromosome) that have no allelic counterparts

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hemizygous was circa 1921

Dictionary Entries Near hemizygous

Cite this Entry

“Hemizygous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hemizygous. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

hemizygous

adjective
hemi·​zy·​gous -ˈzī-gəs How to pronounce hemizygous (audio)
: having or characterized by one or more genes (as in a genetic deficiency or in an X chromosome paired with a Y chromosome) that have no allelic counterparts
hemizygosity noun
plural hemizygosities
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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