outcross

1 of 2

noun

out·​cross ˈau̇t-ˌkrȯs 

1

: a cross between relatively unrelated individuals

2

: the progeny of an outcross

outcross

2 of 2

verb

outcrossed; outcrossing; outcrosses

transitive verb

: to cross with a relatively unrelated individual or strain : to subject to outcrossing

Examples of outcross in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

What if chimeras escape and outcross in the wild? —Amy Webb, Wired, 1 Dec. 2021

If a population is highly inbred, then individuals who are not relations by social custom may still be so genetically similar to a point where the pairing can not credibly be stated as an outcross. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 July 2012

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

outcross

1 of 2 noun

out·​cross ˈau̇t-ˌkrȯs 

1

: a cross made by outcrossing two individuals or strains

2

: the offspring resulting from an outcross

outcross

2 of 2 verb

: to cross with an unrelated individual or strain or one that is only distantly related

Medical Definition

outcross

1 of 2 noun

out·​cross ˈau̇t-ˌkrȯs 

1

: a cross between relatively unrelated individuals

2

: the progeny of an outcross

outcross

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to cross with a relatively unrelated individual or strain