heterozygote

noun

het·​ero·​zy·​gote ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈzī-ˌgōt How to pronounce heterozygote (audio)
: a heterozygous individual

Examples of heterozygote 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.
Observe that the heterozygote seems to exhibit a value closer to the European/light homozygote than the the African/dark homozygote! — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2011

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heterozygote was in 1902

Rhymes for heterozygote

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Browse Nearby Words

heterozygosity
heterozygote
heterozygous
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Cite this Entry

“Heterozygote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterozygote. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

heterozygote

noun
het·​ero·​zy·​gote ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈzī-ˌgōt How to pronounce heterozygote (audio)
: a heterozygous individual

Medical Definition

heterozygote

noun
het·​ero·​zy·​gote -ˈzī-ˌgōt How to pronounce heterozygote (audio)
: a heterozygous individual
heterozygotic
-(ˌ)zī-ˈgät-ik How to pronounce heterozygote (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on heterozygote

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heterozygote

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