morphogenesis

[ mawr-fuh-jen-uh-sis ]

nounEmbryology.
  1. the development of structural features of an organism or part.

Origin of morphogenesis

1
First recorded in 1880–85; morpho- + genesis

Other words from morphogenesis

  • mor·pho·ge·net·ic [mawr-foh-juh-net-ik], /ˌmɔr foʊ dʒəˈnɛt ɪk/, mor·pho·gen·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use morphogenesis in a sentence

  • The morphogenic power of osmosis gives rise to an infinite variety of forms.

    The Mechanism of Life | Stphane Leduc
  • The morphogenic action of diffusion produces osmotic growths of extreme variety.

    The Mechanism of Life | Stphane Leduc
  • Morphogenic—a derivative; pertaining to morphogeny; a kosmic process (vide figs. 17 and 18).

    The Mystery of Space | Robert T. Browne
  • In other flowers this morphogenic wavering inclines towards the bracts rather than towards the corolla.

    Everyday Objects | W. H. Davenport Adams

British Dictionary definitions for morphogenesis

morphogenesis

/ (ˌmɔːfəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs) /


noun
  1. the development of form and structure in an organism during its growth from embryo to adult

  2. the evolutionary development of form in an organism or part of an organism

Derived forms of morphogenesis

  • morphogenetic (ˌmɔːfəʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk) or morphogenic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for morphogenesis

morphogenesis

[ môr′fō-jĕnĭ-sĭs ]


  1. Formation of the structure of an organism or part involving differentiation and growth of tissues and organs during development.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.