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

Assembled ancient genomes from both fossils and compared those to genomes of living animals, such as wolves, jackals and foxes. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025

His research lab studies human genome evolution and forensic genetics. —Nathan H. Lents, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025

Colossal's researchers have already sequenced much of the woolly mammoth genome and are working with Asian elephant DNA to recreate cold-tolerant traits. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

Scientists first analyzed the genome of the dire wolves contained in the ancient tooth and skull. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 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

Rhymes for genome

• biome
• megohm
• nichrome
• noisome
• prodrome
• radome
• rhizome
• shalom
• syndrome
• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb

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