chemo
noun
chemotherapy or a chemotherapy treatment.
chemo
1 American
[kee-moh, kem-oh]
/ ˈki moʊ, ˈkɛm oʊ /
noun
Informal.
chemos
plural
chemo-
2
American
chemo
1
British
/ ˈkiːməʊ /
noun
chemo-
2
British
combining form
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of chemo1
By shortening; see -o
Origin of chemo-2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The antibody-drug conjugates deliver chemotherapy directly to tumor cells, reducing disease progression risk by around 40% vs. chemo.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
Many people undergoing chemotherapy experience a frustrating side effect often called "chemo brain."
From Science Daily ● Jun. 10, 2026
Having Deborah decide to prolong her life with chemo because she could not resist mining this final seam of comedic gold was a coup de grace.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026
"I'm still processing it now, it's been a crazy few weeks she had the surgery quite quick, biopsy, she started her chemo," said Emma.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
"How was your first day back on chemo?"
From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds
These high concentrations result in unique chemical reactions within cancer cells that render the cells more vulnerable to chemo- and radiation therapies.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 18, 2024
Surgery cures most breast cancer - but if some disease remains, chemo-, radio- and endocrine therapy can reduce the long-term risk of dying.
From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2023
Chavez had previous rounds of chemo- and radiotherapy, which at times left him bald and bloated.
From Reuters ● Mar. 2, 2013
All this is presently experimental but in the few years since work began on chemo- sterilants the project has grown enormously.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
“They do that because there are certain chemos out there can make your veins turn black, and can effect your nerves.”
From Washington Times ● Sep. 21, 2020
‘I had to go to seven chemos and 30 radiation appointments. I drove myself to every one of them.’
From Golf Digest ● Nov. 16, 2018
“I didn’t even feel like I had cancer. I had to go to seven chemos and 30 radiation appointments. I drove myself to every one of them.”
From Golf Digest ● Nov. 16, 2018
Other companies are redesigning traditional chemos to make them easier to take.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2016
“I will run out of chemos to take, and I will run out of clinical trials I will qualify for.”
From Washington Times ● Mar. 19, 2016
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
