metachromatic
adjective
meta·chro·mat·ic
ˌme-tə-krō-ˈma-tik 
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
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
My daughter Calliope has a terminal illness called metachromatic leukodystrophy.
—
Maria Kefalas,
STAT,
2 Dec. 2019
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
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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
My daughter Calliope has a terminal illness called metachromatic leukodystrophy.
—
Maria Kefalas,
STAT,
2 Dec. 2019
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
Cite this Entry
“Metachromatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metachromatic. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
metachromatic
adjective
meta·chro·mat·ic
-krō-ˈmat-ik
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
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