Jump to:

• chemo
  chemo

  noun

  chemotherapy or a chemotherapy treatment.
• chemo-
  chemo-

  a combining form with the meanings “chemical,” “chemically induced,” “chemistry,” used in the formation of compound words.

chemo

¹ American  

[kee-moh, kem-oh] / ˈki moʊ, ˈkɛm oʊ /

noun

Informal.

chemos plural

1. chemotherapy or a chemotherapy treatment.

---

chemo- ² American  

1. a combining form with the meanings “chemical,” “chemically induced,” “chemistry,” used in the formation of compound words.

   chemotherapy.

---

chemo ¹ British  

/ ˈkiːməʊ /

noun

1. informal short for chemotherapy

---

chemo- ² British  

combining form

1. indicating that chemicals or chemical reactions are involved

   chemotherapy

---

Etymology

Origin of chemo¹

By shortening; see -o

Origin of chemo-²

chem-, extracted from chemical or chemistry + -o- or -i-

Example Sentences

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