hybrid vigor

noun

: heterosis

Examples of hybrid vigor 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.
On the one hand, hybrids are often more vigorous or productive than their parents, a phenomenon called hybrid vigor or hybrid superiority. — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2010 The exceptions are in areas such as breeding for hybrid vigor, when heterozygote advantage may be coming to the fore. — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 17 Nov. 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hybrid vigor was in 1918

Rhymes for hybrid vigor

See All Rhymes for hybrid vigor

Browse Nearby Entries

hybrid vigor
hyd
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hybrid vigor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hybrid%20vigor. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

hybrid vigor

noun
: unusual vigor or capacity for growth often shown by hybrid plants or animals

Medical Definition

hybrid vigor

noun
hybrid vig·​or -ˈvig-ər How to pronounce hybrid vigor (audio)
: heterosis
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
clapperboard-popcorn
Hollywood Lingo Quiz Are you a showbiz whiz?
See All