homeobox

noun

ho·​meo·​box ˈhō-mē-ə-ˌbäks How to pronounce homeobox (audio)
: a short usually highly conserved DNA sequence in various eukaryotic genes and especially homeotic genes that encodes a DNA-binding amino acid domain of some proteins

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of homeobox was in 1984

Dictionary Entries Near homeobox

Cite this Entry

“Homeobox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeobox. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

homeobox

noun
ho·​meo·​box ˈhō-mē-ō-ˌbäks How to pronounce homeobox (audio)
: a short usually highly conserved DNA sequence in various genes and especially homeotic genes that encodes a homeodomain

More from Merriam-Webster on homeobox

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!