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.
It’s taken nearly 20 years, but researchers finally sequenced the arachnid’s entire genome. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Oct. 2026 Whole-genome sequencing will also occur to help determine the source of the infection, MDARD says. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 The genome sequences from five of the cases were nearly identical to those seen in South Carolina. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026 Each vaccine is created by taking the excised tumor, sequencing its genome and identifying a tell-tale fingerprint of abnormal proteins known as neoantigens, Long said. — David Cox, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026 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

See All Rhymes for genome

Browse Nearby Words

genoise
genome
genomere
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Cite this Entry

“Genome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genome. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about genome

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