genome

Also ge·nom

[jee-nohm]

noun

Genetics.

1. a full set of chromosomes; all the inheritable traits of an organism.

genome

/ ˈdʒiːnəʊm, dʒɪˈnɒmɪk /

noun

1. the full complement of genetic material within an organism

2. all the genes comprising a haploid set of chromosomes

genome

1. The total amount of genetic information in the chromosomes of an organism, including its genes and DNA sequences. The genome of eukaryotes is made up of a single, haploid set of chromosomes that is contained in the nucleus of every cell and exists in two copies in all cells except reproductive and red blood cells. The human genome is made up of about 20,000 to 25,000 genes.

2. Compare proteome

genome

1. The sum of all information contained in the DNA for any living thing. The sequence of all the nucleotides in all the chromosomes of an organism.

Other Word Forms

• genomic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of genome¹

First recorded in 1925–30; from German Genom, from Gen gene + (Chromos)om chromosome

Word History and Origins

Origin of genome¹

C20: from German Genom, from Gen _gene + ( _chromos ) _ome

Example Sentences

In 1997, it became one of the first organisms to have its entire genome sequenced, making it easier to understand and manipulate.

From BBC

As it became apparent that not all viruses behaved alike, Baltimore launched a new classification system, one that is still in use, grouping them by families according to their genomes and replication systems.

From Los Angeles Times

They are able to use that material to read the animals' genome - the biological set of coded instructions that makes each snail what it is.

From BBC

Not to mention that about 8% of our very own genome consists of ancient viral genes.

From Salon

In 2022, a group of researchers primarily funded by the NIH’s National Human Genome Research Institute produced a complete human genome sequence.

From Los Angeles Times