Y chromosome
noun
a sex chromosome of humans and most mammals that is present only in males and is paired with an X chromosome.
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Y chromosome
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Y-chromosome
Y-chromosomenounthe sex chromosome that occurs as one of a pair with the X-chromosome in the diploid cells of the males of many animals, including humans Compare X-chromosome
Y chromosome
Americannoun
Genetics.
Y-chromosome
British
noun
Y-chromosome
Scientific
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The sex chromosome that is paired with an X-chromosome in males. Most of the genes on the X-chromosome determine physical attributes associated with males, such as the development of testes.
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See more at sex chromosome See Note at sex
Etymology
Origin of Y chromosome
First recorded in 1920–25
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:
The results showed that segments of the Y chromosome matched across the participants.
From Science Daily ● May 4, 2026
"Based on the results, we can proceed with analysis of Y chromosome fragments for comparison with current descendants."
From Science Daily ● May 4, 2026
"While the direct evidence of physical advantage in transgender people is pretty strong, the evidence of advantage for those with DSD, even though they have a Y chromosome, is highly disputed."
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026
Given this history, losing the Y chromosome later in life was once considered insignificant.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 20, 2026
Other evidence has shown that the Y chromosome of the male is indifferent, so far as these Mendelian factors are concerned.
From A Critique of the Theory of Evolution by Thomas Hunt Morgan
The genetic material was then compared with mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA supplied by descendants.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026
What Dr Mazanec was looking for was a match with the DNA from the Y-chromosome, which is passed through the male line, from son to son.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2023
The 2015 study uploaded Roma DNA to the Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database, or YHRD, a searchable worldwide collection of anonymous Y-chromosome profiles that has become a crucial and contested tool helping police solve crimes.
From New York Times ● Nov. 17, 2021
Because Sitting Bull only had daughters, researchers couldn’t trace the lock’s lineage using mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down from mother to daughter, or Y-chromosome DNA, which follows the male line.
From Science Magazine ● Oct. 26, 2021
"The only thing that puzzles me," Kennon went on, "is how you managed to eliminate the Y-chromosome carriers within the sperm."
From The Lani People by Jesse F. (Jesse Franklin) Bone
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