chemotropism

noun

che·​mot·​ro·​pism ki-ˈmä-trə-ˌpi-zəm How to pronounce chemotropism (audio)
ke-
: orientation of cells or organisms in relation to chemical stimuli

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Chemotropismus, from chemo- chemo- + -tropismus -tropism

Note: The term was introduced by the German physiologist Max Verworn (1863-1921) in Psycho-physiologische Protisten-Studien (Jena, 1889), p. 103. Verworn intended it as a replacement for the term Chemotaxis introduced the previous year by Wilhelm Pfeffer (see chemotaxis), in line with existing terms ending in -tropismus.

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chemotropism was in 1895

Rhymes for chemotropism

See All Rhymes for chemotropism

Browse Nearby Words

chemotrophic
chemotropism
chemtrail
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chemotropism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemotropism. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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Kids Definition

chemotropism

noun
che·​mot·​ro·​pism kē-ˈmä-trə-ˌpiz-əm How to pronounce chemotropism (audio)
ke-
: positioning of cells or organisms in relation to a chemical

Medical Definition

chemotropism

noun
che·​mot·​ro·​pism ki-ˈmä-trə-ˌpiz-əm, ke- How to pronounce chemotropism (audio)
: orientation of cells or organisms in relation to chemical stimuli
chemotropic
ˌkē-mə-ˈtrō-pik How to pronounce chemotropism (audio)
adjective
chemotropically
-pi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce chemotropism (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on chemotropism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chemotropism

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