translocation

American  

[trans-loh-key-shuhn, tranz-] / ˌtræns loʊˈkeɪ ʃən, ˌtrænz- /

noun

1. a change of location.

2. Genetics. a chromosomal rearrangement in which a segment of genetic material from one chromosome becomes heritably linked to another chromosome.

3. Botany. the conduction of soluble food material from one part of a plant to another.

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translocation British  

/ ˌtrænzləʊˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. genetics the transfer of one part of a chromosome to another part of the same or a different chromosome, resulting in rearrangement of the genes

2. botany the transport of minerals, sugars, etc, in solution within a plant

3. a movement from one position or place to another

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translocation Scientific  

/ trăns′lō-kā′shən /

1. A chromosomal aberration in which a chromosomal segment changes position, usually moving from one chromosome to a different, nonhomologous chromosome. In one type of Down Syndrome, for example, translocation of a large segment of chromosome 21 to another chromosome results in an individual who has the genetic equivalent of three chromosomes 21 and thus has the phenotype of Down syndrome but who has a normal total number of chromosomes. A translocation within a given chromosome is called a shift.

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Other Word Forms

• nontranslocation noun

Etymology

Origin of translocation

First recorded in 1615–25; trans- + location

Example Sentences

Islatravir, meanwhile, is what’s known as a nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor, a novel drug that is significantly more potent.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Labuschagne, an ex-South African commando, founded Warm Heart Initiative in response to the clashes that followed the translocation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

He further adds, "However, while we had identified the transporters that enable the uptake by the roots and root-to-shoot translocation of Si, we were yet to determine how Si was deposited in the leaves."

From Science Daily • Nov. 8, 2023

“To me this project is not about conserving cheetahs but rather stalling the translocation of lions,” said Ravi Chellam, a wildlife biologist and conservation scientist with more than four decades of experience with big cats.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 20, 2023

For then, and above all if the mouths of these instruments be concentrically directed, a mutual translocation is produced between the two discordant sounds, which restores the accuracy of their agreement.

From Delsarte System of Oratory by Various

Related Words

• about-face
• alteration
• change
• conversion
• deviation
• move
• transfer
• transformation
• variation