eukaryote

noun

variants or less commonly eucaryote
: any of a domain (Eukarya) or a higher taxonomic group (Eukaryota) above the kingdom that includes organisms composed of one or more cells containing visibly evident nuclei and organelles compare archaea, bacterium, prokaryote

Examples of eukaryote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Perhaps evolution just stumbled on STRs as a component of such a complex but ultimately more effective solution to gene regulation in eukaryotes. Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024 But all eukaryotes insert various steroids into their membranes, increasing their fluidity and altering their curvature. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 9 June 2023 This protein complex is preserved across all eukaryotes — basically, all animals, plants, and fungi. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 In humans and other eukaryotes, the regulatory sequences can be more numerous, various — and perplexing. Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024 This sort of complex sorting of cellular contents is a feature of all modern eukaryotes. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 2 Feb. 2024 So until the new study, eukaryotes were the only group totally left out of the fun. Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 That gap could be neatly explained if the earlier eukaryotes were using Bloch's biochemical intermediates. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 9 June 2023 Archaea, eukaryotes, and eubacteria all have ribosomes, so ribosomal RNA is good for comparing different organisms. Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eukaryote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Eukaryotes, proposed subdivision of protists, from eu- + kary- + -otes, plural noun suffix, from Greek -ōtos — more at -otic

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eukaryote was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near eukaryote

Cite this Entry

“Eukaryote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eukaryote. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

eukaryote

noun
eu·​kary·​ote (ˌ)yu̇-ˈke(ə)r-ē-ˌōt How to pronounce eukaryote (audio)
ˈka(ə)r-
: an organism composed of one or more cells with clearly viewable nuclei

Medical Definition

eukaryote

noun
eu·​kary·​ote
variants also eucaryote
: any of a domain (Eukarya) or a higher taxonomic group (Eukaryota) above the kingdom that includes organisms composed of one or more cells containing visibly evident nuclei and organelles compare prokaryote
eukaryotic adjective
also eucaryotic

More from Merriam-Webster on eukaryote

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