What does "genome" mean?
The complete genetic information (either DNA or, in some viruses, RNA) of an organism.
Genome
/ˈd͡ʒiː.noʊm/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The complete genetic information (either DNA or, in some viruses, RNA) of an organism.
- Grammar: genome is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: chloroplast genome, chromosome, genetic makeup, genetic material.
- Useful contrasts: non-genetic material, nuclear genome, partial genome.
- Usage evidence: The genome of this virus is unknown.
How to use "genome"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "genome" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "genome" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "genome" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "genome" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "genome" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "chloroplast genome" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "genome", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The complete genetic information (either DNA or, in some viruses, RNA) of an organism.
"Creating a complete map of the human connectome would therefore be a monumental milestone but not the end of the journey to understanding how our brains work. The achievement will transform neuroscience and serve as the starting point for asking questions we could not otherwise have answered, just as having the human genome has made it possible to ask new questions about cellular and molecular systems."
- 2 the ordering of genes in a haploid set of chromosomes of a particular organism; the full DNA sequence of an organism wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
non-genetic materialnuclear genomepartial genome
Example
"The genome of this virus is unknown."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "genome"?
Common synonyms include: chloroplast genome, chromosome, genetic makeup, genetic material, genetic sequence, genome sequence.
How do you use "genome" in a sentence?
The genome of this virus is unknown.
How do you pronounce "genome"?
Pronounced /ˈd͡ʒiː.noʊm/.
Etymology
From earlier genom, from German Genom, coined by German botanist Hans Winkler in 1920 as a blend of Gen (“gene”) + Chromosom (“chromosome”). By surface analysis, gen(e) + -ome, or a blend of gen(e) + (chromos)ome. Spelling altered to reflect the surface analysis.