homozygous

adjective

ho·​mo·​zy·​gous ˌhō-mə-ˈzī-gəs How to pronounce homozygous (audio)
ˌhä-
: having the two genes at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes identical for one or more loci
homozygously adverb

Examples of homozygous 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.
Those who are homozygous or have two copies of the mutation are at lower risk. — Angus Chen, STAT, 27 Dec. 2023 Imagine a magical individual who is 100% homozygous, but alive and fertile. — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2013 And when a mutation eventually created new homozygous clonal raiders, the dormant supergene traits were reactivated and the miniature queenlike mutants appeared overnight. — Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023 Not only would doctors look for a donor to address his leukemia, but also one who carried a rare mutation, homozygous CCR5 delta 32 mutation, which makes people resistant to most strains of HIV infection. — Ema Sasic, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of homozygous was in 1902

Rhymes for homozygous

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Browse Nearby Words

homozygote
homozygous
homrai
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

homozygous

adjective
ho·​mo·​zy·​gous ˌhō-mə-ˈzī-gəs How to pronounce homozygous (audio)
: having at least one gene pair that contains identical genes
a pea plant homozygous for yellow seed

Medical Definition

homozygous

adjective
ho·​mo·​zy·​gous -ˈzī-gəs How to pronounce homozygous (audio)
: having the two genes at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes identical for one or more loci compare heterozygous
homozygously adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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