nucleosome

noun

nu·​cle·​o·​some ˈnü-klē-ə-ˌsōm How to pronounce nucleosome (audio)
ˈnyü-
: any of the repeating globular subunits of chromatin that consist of a complex of DNA and histone
nucleosomal
ˌnü-klē-ə-ˈsō-məl How to pronounce nucleosome (audio)
ˌnyü-
adjective

Examples of nucleosome in a Sentence

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Chromatin is built when DNA winds around millions of spool-like protein structures called nucleosomes. — Quanta Magazine, 25 Feb. 2015

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nucleosome was in 1962

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“Nucleosome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nucleosome. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

nucleosome

noun
nu·​cleo·​some -ˌsōm How to pronounce nucleosome (audio)
: any of the repeating globular subunits of chromatin that consist of a complex of DNA and histone and are thought to be present only during interphase
nucleosomal
ˌn(y)ü-klē-ə-ˈsō-məl How to pronounce nucleosome (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on nucleosome

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nucleosome

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