exome

noun

ex·​ome ˈek-ˌsōm How to pronounce exome (audio)
: the part of the genome consisting of exons that code information for protein synthesis
The Personal Genome Project is beginning with the exome: the 1 percent of our genome that is translated into strings of amino acids that assemble themselves into proteins.Steven Pinker
The exome is the portion of the genome known to encode proteins … . Whole-exome sequencing has the advantage of reduced cost and analysis of a much smaller data set than that obtained by sequencing the entire genome.Howard J. Jacob

Examples of exome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The exome test is a more detailed look at a person's genetics than a typical genetic panel. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 Editor’s tip: This serum uses biomimetic exomes—i.e., tiny particles that act like messengers delivering key ingredients where they’re needed most. Siena Gagliano, Allure, 20 Feb. 2025 The genomic model was trained by combining publicly available human reference genome data with Mayo's comprehensive patient exome (protein encoding) data. Karl Freund, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 Ancestry has been working with Quest Diagnostics to build out a new lab to handle the sequencing, and the plan is to start returning full exome data—the sequences that code for proteins—to customers next year. Megan Molteni, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2019 See All Example Sentences for exome

Word History

Etymology

ex(on) + (gen)ome

First Known Use

2008, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exome was in 2008

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Cite this Entry

“Exome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exome. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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