GMO

abbreviation or noun

ˌjē-ˌem-ˈō 

plural GMOs

1

: a plant, animal, or microorganism whose DNA has been altered artificially through the insertion, deletion, or modification of one or more genes in order to express (see express entry 1 sense 4) or suppress (see suppress sense 6) a targeted trait or traits : genetically modified organism sense 1

… the corn is a genetically modified organism, often referred to as a GMO, and carries traits that repel insects and protect it from the herbicide …

—JD Malone

Most animals that are GMOs are produced for use in laboratory research. These animals are used as "models" to study the function of specific genes and, typically, how the genes relate to health and disease.

—National Geographic

—sometimes used before another noun

In 2020, GMO soybeans made up 94% of all soybeans planted … and 92% of corn planted was GMO corn.

—U.S. Food & Drug Administration

2

: something (such as a fruit) that is the product of an organism and especially a plant that has undergone genetic modification : genetically modified organism sense 2

… the pink-colored flesh is not the result of a naturally-occurring mutation. Pink pineapple fruit is a … GMO.

—Laura Miller

—sometimes used before another noun

Many parents are already limiting the amount of fast food that their children eat, and GMO french fries would give them another reason to pass by …

—Wenonah Hauter

Examples of GMO in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Around 70% of Palestinians killed by Israel’s strikes are women and children, according to the Hamas-run Government Media Office (GMO). —Abeer Salman, CNN, 19 Oct. 2024

Several European scientists famously created a GMO rice in the 1990s that produces beta carotene, which the human body converts to Vitamin A, an essential nutrient that is deficient in 125 million children worldwide. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

GMO

abbreviation or noun

ˌjē-(ˌ)em-ˈō  

1

: a plant, animal, or microorganism whose DNA has been altered artificially through the insertion, deletion, or modification of one or more genes in order to express (see express sense 3) or suppress (see suppress sense 3) a targeted trait or traits : genetically modified organism sense 1

—sometimes used before another noun

GMO lab mice

2

: something that is the product of an organism that has undergone genetic modification : genetically modified organism sense 2

—sometimes used before another noun

GMO medicines