metachromatic

adjective

meta·​chro·​mat·​ic ˌme-tə-krō-ˈma-tik How to pronounce metachromatic (audio)
1
: staining or characterized by staining in a different color or shade from what is typical
metachromatic granules in a bacterium
2
: having the capacity to stain different elements of a cell or tissue in different colors or shades
metachromatic stains

Examples of metachromatic 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.
The four-year-old has a rare disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy that could rob him of the ability to walk, sit and hold up his own head within the next year. — Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 18 Nov. 2019 My daughter Calliope has a terminal illness called metachromatic leukodystrophy. — Maria Kefalas, STAT, 2 Dec. 2019 The couple’s children were born with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), which causes muscle weakness, progressive loss of vision and eventual paralysis. — Diane Moca, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 So much has changed for them since the early months of the pandemic, when the couple's middle daughter, Olivia, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called metachromatic leukodystrophyf, or MLD. — Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of metachromatic was in 1876

Rhymes for metachromatic

See All Rhymes for metachromatic

Browse Nearby Words

Metachlamydeae
metachromatic
metachrome
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

metachromatic

adjective
meta·​chro·​mat·​ic -krō-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce metachromatic (audio)
1
: staining or characterized by staining in a different color or shade from what is typical
metachromatic granules
2
: having the capacity to stain different elements of a cell or tissue in different colors or shades
metachromatic stains
metachromatically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce metachromatic (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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