cis

1 of 3

adjective

ˈsis 

1

chemistry : characterized by having certain atoms or groups of atoms on the same side of the longitudinal axis of a double bond or of the plane of a ring in a molecule

… this process changes the cis form of naturally occurring fats to the trans form …

—Sue Rodwell Williams

2

[by shortening] : cisgender

… this whole experiment is framed within the experiences of a cis woman.

—Lani Irving

3

genetics : relating to or being an arrangement of two very closely linked genes in the heterozygous condition in which both mutant alleles are on one chromosome and both wild-type alleles are on the homologous chromosome compare trans sense 3

CIS

2 of 3

abbreviation

Commonwealth of Independent States

cis-

3 of 3

prefix

1

: on this side

cislunar

cisatlantic

2

: cis

cis-dichloroethylene

compare trans- sense 2b

Examples of cis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But Disney World is saturated with hetero-normative, cis themes of princesses and princes, and some experiences may be triggering. —Deanne Revel, Parents, 22 May 2024

Very little time is spent exploring what their experiences look like from their own perspectives, much less what EOD means for the larger community of non-cis people. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Mar. 2023

This new therapist was cis male, Jewish, and was actually trained in sports psychology. —Anna Borges, SELF, 22 Oct. 2019

In cis women, nonconcordance happens about 90% of the time, meaning only 10% of the time do their genitals/brains match up. —Anna Pulley, chicagotribune.com, 23 Sep. 2019

My first was with my spouse (who is non-binary) and a cis man, the second with my spouse and a cis woman. —Irina Gonzalez, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2019

Support organizations and causes that specifically center LGBTQ people and transgender people who need reproductive health care, and not just cis women. —Elly Belle, Teen Vogue, 17 May 2019

That has started to change recently, but by and large cis people still hold the power to frame trans lives for the masses. —Katelyn Burns, The New Republic, 30 Dec. 2019

As last night’s excellent moderators demonstrated, to get ahead, genders and identities other than cis men have to be nearly superhuman. —Andrea Bartz, Marie Claire, 21 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin, literally, on this side

Prefix

Latin, from cis — more at he

First Known Use

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cis

• cis-platinum

Medical Definition

cis

1 of 2 adjective

ˈsis 

1

: characterized by having certain atoms or groups of atoms on the same side of the longitudinal axis of a double bond or of the plane of a ring in a molecule

2

: relating to or being an arrangement of two very closely linked genes in the heterozygous condition in which both mutant alleles are on one chromosome and both wild-type alleles are on the homologous chromosome compare trans sense 2

CIS

2 of 2 abbreviation

carcinoma in situ