tetraploid

1 of 2

adjective

tet·​ra·​ploid ˈte-trə-ˌplȯid How to pronounce tetraploid (audio)
: having or being a chromosome number four times the monoploid number
a tetraploid cell
tetraploidy
ˈte-trə-ˌplȯi-dē How to pronounce tetraploid (audio)
noun

tetraploid

2 of 2

noun

: a tetraploid individual

Examples of tetraploid in a Sentence

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Adjective
Consequently, the original diploid cell becomes triploid or, in other cases, tetraploid (four chromosomes), pentaploid (five chromosomes), and so forth. — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Adjective

1912, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tetraploid was in 1912

Rhymes for tetraploid

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Browse Nearby Words

tetrapla
tetraploid
tetrapod
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tetraploid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetraploid. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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Medical Definition

tetraploid

1 of 2 adjective
tet·​ra·​ploid ˈte-trə-ˌplȯid How to pronounce tetraploid (audio)
: having or being a chromosome number four times the monoploid number
a tetraploid cell
tetraploidy
-ˌplȯid-ē How to pronounce tetraploid (audio)
noun
plural tetraploidies

tetraploid

2 of 2 noun
: a tetraploid individual
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