polyembryony

noun

poly·​em·​bry·​o·​ny ˌpä-lē-ˈem-brē-ə-nē How to pronounce polyembryony (audio) -(ˌ)em-ˈbrī- How to pronounce polyembryony (audio)
1
: the condition of having several embryos
2
: the production of two or more embryos from one ovule or egg
polyembryonic
ˌpä-lē-ˌem-brē-ˈä-nik How to pronounce polyembryony (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

poly- + embryon-, stem in combination of embryo + -y entry 2

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of polyembryony was in 1849

Rhymes for polyembryony

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Browse Nearby Words

polyembryonic
polyembryony
polyene
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Cite this Entry

“Polyembryony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyembryony. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

polyembryony

noun
poly·​em·​bry·​o·​ny -ˈem-brē-ə-nē How to pronounce polyembryony (audio) -(ˌ)em-ˈbrī- How to pronounce polyembryony (audio)
plural polyembryonies
: the production of two or more embryos from one ovule or egg
polyembryonic
-ˌem-brē-ˈän-ik How to pronounce polyembryony (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on polyembryony

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polyembryony

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