eukaryote

noun

eu·​kary·​ote (ˌ)yü-ˈker-ē-ˌōt  -ət  -ˈka-rē- 

variants or less commonly eucaryote

: any of a domain (Eukarya) or a higher taxonomic group (Eukaryota) above the kingdom that includes organisms composed of one or more cells containing visibly evident nuclei and organelles compare archaea, bacterium, prokaryote

Examples of eukaryote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since that original act, the eukaryote has transformed again and again. —Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024

In 2018, Haddock, an expert on comb jellies, attended a conference on the origin of eukaryotes. —Yasemin Saplakoglu, WIRED, 20 Oct. 2024

In 2018, Haddock, an expert on comb jellies, attended a conference (opens a new tab) on the origin of eukaryotes. —Quanta Magazine, 9 Sep. 2024

In that case, the transition might have fueled, and been fueled by, eukaryotes’ tendency for genome expansion. —Quanta Magazine, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Eukaryotes, proposed subdivision of protists, from eu- + kary- + -otes, plural noun suffix, from Greek -ōtos — more at -otic

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

eukaryote

noun

eu·​kary·​ote (ˌ)yu̇-ˈke(ə)r-ē-ˌōt 

ˈka(ə)r-

: an organism composed of one or more cells with clearly viewable nuclei

Medical Definition

eukaryote

noun

eu·​kary·​ote

variants also eucaryote

(ˈ)yü-ˈkar-ē-ˌōt  -ē-ət 

: any of a domain (Eukarya) or a higher taxonomic group (Eukaryota) above the kingdom that includes organisms composed of one or more cells containing visibly evident nuclei and organelles compare prokaryote

eukaryotic adjective

also eucaryotic

-ˌkar-ē-ˈät-ik