: a fluorescent mutagenic biological dye C21H20BrN3 that is used especially to stain nucleic acids

Word History

Etymology

ethyl + -id + -ium

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethidium bromide was in 1952

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ethidium bromide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethidium%20bromide. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

ethidium bromide

noun
: a fluorescent mutagenic biological dye C21H20BrN3 that is used especially to stain nucleic acids
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