noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The observed characteristics (number, type, shape, etc) of the chromosomes of an individual or species.
2. 2
   the appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes) wordnet
3. 3
   A record of such characteristics, usually photographic.
4. 4
   A group of individuals or species that have the same chromosomal characteristics. obsolete

Verb

1. 1
   To investigate or record such characteristics. transitive

Example

More examples

"You know, I think I've gone my whole life without observing a single person's karyotype."

Etymology

Borrowed from Russian кариотип (kariotip), equivalent to karyo- + -type.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.