Y chromosome

noun

: a sex chromosome that is characteristic of male cells in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex chromosomes compare x chromosome

Examples of Y chromosome 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 team uncovered a wealth of environmental DNA on the drawing and one of the letters, including from bacteria, plants, animals and fungi — and a matching sequence of Y chromosomes from a male. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026 Females inherit an X chromosome from both parents, while males inherit an X chromosome from their mothers and a Y chromosome from their fathers. — Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025 Females have two X chromosomes, and males have an X chromosome and a Y chromosome. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 May 2025 Male kittens, also like most other male mammals, have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. — Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for Y chromosome

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Y chromosome was in 1911

Rhymes for Y chromosome

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Browse Nearby Words

YC
Y chromosome
yclept
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Cite this Entry

“Y chromosome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Y%20chromosome. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Y chromosome

noun
: a sex chromosome that is associated with maleness and occurs only in male cells paired with an X chromosome in organisms (as human beings) in which the male normally has two unlike sex chromosomes compare x chromosome

Medical Definition

Y chromosome

noun
ˈwī- How to pronounce Y chromosome (audio)
: a sex chromosome that is characteristic of male cells in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex chromosomes compare x chromosome

More from Merriam-Webster on Y chromosome

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Y chromosome

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