Definition of CHROMOSOME

chromosome

Meanings

Plural: chromosomes

Noun

  • a threadlike strand of DNA in the cell nucleus that carries the genes in a linear order
    • "humans have 22 chromosome pairs plus two sex chromosomes"
  • A linear arrangement of condensed DNA and associated proteins (such as chaperone proteins) which contains the genetic material (genome) of an organism.

Origin / Etymology

19th century: from German Chromosom, ultimately from Ancient Greek χρῶμα (khrôma, “colour”) + σῶμα (sôma, “body”) (because they are stained under the microscope). Equivalent to chromo- + -some.

Scrabble Score: 19

chromosome is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
chromosome is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
chromosome is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 21

chromosome is a valid Words With Friends word