heterogenous

American  

[het-uh-roj-uh-nuhs] / ˌhɛt əˈrɒdʒ ə nəs /

adjective

Biology, Pathology.

1. having its source or origin outside the organism; having a foreign origin.

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heterogenous British  

/ ˌhɛtəˈrɒdʒɪnəs /

adjective

1. biology med not originating within the body; of foreign origin Compare autogenous

   a heterogenous skin graft

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Etymology

Origin of heterogenous

First recorded in 1685–95; hetero- + -genous

Example Sentences

As Dr. Hauschild said in a letter, the trial’s heterogenous population is what he sees every day in his clinic, and RP1 benefited all groups of patients.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

The problem, of course, is that the public is enormous, heterogenous, and messy; there is no single judge or 12-person jury.

From Slate • Jun. 30, 2025

While MDD is a heterogenous disorder with no one fits all solution, it is important to emphasize that if a treatment or medication is working for you, then they are lifesaving.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2024

This is aligned with something else you talk about, that people don't understand the heterogenous nature of being old.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2023

Provisionally this genus has been grouped with the Ratitae, which at any rate are a heterogenous assembly.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7 "Bible" to "Bisectrix" by Various