genome

noun

ge·​nome ˈjē-ˌnōm 

: one haploid set of chromosomes with the genes they contain

broadly : the genetic material of an organism compare proteome

Examples of genome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers detected key changes to the genome of the virus in teenager in Canada who became severely ill with H5N1 in November. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025

Among bacteria, small genomes relieve organisms of the pressure of maintaining bulky DNA, but this state also requires them to scavenge many basic nutrients and metabolites from their neighbors. —Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

This surge reflects advancements in detection technologies, like whole genome sequencing, and outbreak tracking tools, such as the CDC's PulseNet lab network. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

Southward Migration of Germanic Peoples The researchers examined over 1500 European genomes from people who lived during the first millennium, an eventful period in European history. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German Genom, from Gen gene + -om (as in Chromosom chromosome)

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing genome

• genome editing

Medical Definition

genome

noun

ge·​nome ˈjē-ˌnōm 

: one haploid set of chromosomes with the genes they contain

broadly : the genetic material of an organism

The idea behind sequencing an organism's genome—decoding, letter by letter, the message contained in every last one of its genes—is that it would tell us a lot about how the organism works.

—Lori Oliwenstein, Discover