heterokaryon

noun

het·ero·kary·on ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈker-ē-ˌän

-ən,

-ˈka-rē-

: a cell (as in the mycelium of a fungus) that contains two or more genetically unlike nuclei

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from heter- + karyon, nucleus, from Greek, nut, kernel

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of heterokaryon was in 1941

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Heterokaryon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterokaryon. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

heterokaryon

noun

het·ero·kary·on

variants also heterocaryon

ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈkar-ē-ˌän, -ən

: a cell in the mycelium of a fungus that contains two or more genetically unlike nuclei compare homokaryon

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

spontaneous

Listen to the pronunciation of spontaneous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)