genome

noun

ge·​nome ˈjē-ˌnōm How to pronounce genome (audio)
: one haploid set of chromosomes with the genes they contain
broadly : the genetic material of an organism compare proteome

Examples of genome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Of particular concern are ones called porcine endogenous retroviruses that hide out in the pig genome. — Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025 To improve food security, researchers are currently mapping out the genomes of 22 crops in the nightshade genus, which includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. — Michael Irving, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2025 Despite what their name might imply, the extra-furry lab mice have no mammoth DNA present in their genome, but were altered to look reminiscent of the ancient beasts that once roamed much of the earth, providing ample meat and furs for our hunter-gatherer ancestors. — Mitchell Willetts, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 The elephant and mammoth genomes are considered to be 96.4 percent identical, however, that still leaves potentially another ~13 million changes in DNA sequence to consider. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for genome

Word History

Etymology

German Genom, from Gen gene + -om (as in Chromosom chromosome)

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of genome was in 1926

Phrases Containing genome

Rhymes for genome

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Cite this Entry

“Genome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genome. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

genome

noun
ge·​nome ˈjē-ˌnōm How to pronounce genome (audio)
: one haploid set of chromosomes with the genes they contain
broadly : the genetic material of an organism
The idea behind sequencing an organism's genome—decoding, letter by letter, the message contained in every last one of its genes—is that it would tell us a lot about how the organism works. — Lori Oliwenstein, Discover

More from Merriam-Webster on genome

Nglish: Translation of genome for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about genome

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