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chromosome number

American  

noun

Genetics.
  1. the characteristic number of chromosomes contained in the cell nucleus of a given species.


chromosome number British  

noun

  1. the number of chromosomes present in each somatic cell, which is constant for any one species of plant or animal. In the reproductive cells this number is halved See also diploid haploid

"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

Etymology

Origin of chromosome number

First recorded in 1905–10

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:

One of the earliest warning signs in this process is the presence of chromosomal abnormalities, which include changes in chromosome number or structure.

From Science Daily Mar. 10, 2026

Genomic sequencing also revealed that D. catalonica has a haploid chromosome number of four autosomes plus one X chromosome, while D. tilosensis has six autosomes and one X chromosome.

From Science Daily Nov. 2, 2025

The gametic chromosomes combine during fertilization to produce offspring with the same chromosome number as their parents.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

Disorders of chromosome number include the duplication or loss of entire chromosomes, as well as changes in the number of complete sets of chromosomes.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

All except two, a pair of miscreants—or revolutionaries, depending on your view—hiding out on chromosome number 5.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

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