chemo

¹ American  

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

noun

Informal.

plural

chemos

1. chemotherapy or a chemotherapy treatment.

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chemo- ² American  

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

   chemotherapy.

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chemo ¹ British  

/ ˈkiːməʊ /

noun

1. informal short for chemotherapy

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chemo- ² British  

combining form

1. indicating that chemicals or chemical reactions are involved

   chemotherapy

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Etymology

Origin of chemo¹

By shortening; -o

Origin of chemo-²

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

Example Sentences

Kutler had her final chemo session last Friday, and doctors say her health prognosis is good.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Her first round of chemo and radiotherapy is over, although she is still living with the disease.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

Julian has blood cancer, a condition that is “incurable but manageable” so long as it is “fed a daily dose of chemo to keep it happy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

He will finish chemo this month and start radiation therapy in January.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

And unlike Laura, who’d had surgery and chemo and now radiation to get better, his mom hadn’t even stayed in the hospital even though she would lose him if she left.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman