telomere: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Technical/Scientific)Academic, Scientific, Technical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “telomere” mean?
The protective cap at the end of a chromosome that protects genetic material during cell division.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The protective cap at the end of a chromosome that protects genetic material during cell division.
A specialized DNA-protein structure at chromosome ends preventing degradation and fusion; metaphorically used to refer to cellular aging processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant orthographic or semantic differences. Pronunciation may vary slightly.
Connotations
Identical scientific connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low in general usage; confined to specialised contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “telomere” in a Sentence
telomere of (a chromosome)telomere shorteningtelomere lengthtelomere maintenanceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “telomere” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- telomeric DNA
- telomeric function
American English
- telomeric region
- telomeric activity
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in biotech investment contexts discussing 'telomere research'.
Academic
Primary context. Common in biology, genetics, and medical research papers.
Everyday
Very rare. May appear in popular science articles about aging.
Technical
Core context. Used precisely in laboratory settings, scientific protocols, and clinical genetics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “telomere”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “telomere”
- Spelling: 'telomer' (missing final 'e').
- Pronunciation: Stress on the second syllable (te-LO-mere) is incorrect; stress is on the first syllable.
- Confusing it with 'telomere' as a verb (it is strictly a noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, telomeres are a fundamental structure found at the ends of chromosomes in the nucleus of almost all eukaryotic cells (cells with a nucleus).
When telomeres become critically short, the cell can no longer divide safely and may enter a state of senescence (permanent arrest) or undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death), which is a key aspect of aging.
The enzyme telomerase can add DNA sequence repeats to telomeres, lengthening them. Telomerase is active in certain cells like stem cells and gametes, but its activity is low in most somatic (body) cells.
Yes. It comes from the Greek 'telos' (end) and 'meros' (part). It is related to terms like 'telomerase' (the enzyme that builds telomeres) and 'telomeric' (adjective form).
The protective cap at the end of a chromosome that protects genetic material during cell division.
Telomere is usually academic, scientific, technical, medical in register.
Telomere: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɛləmɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɛləmɪr/ or /ˈtiːləmɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a shoelace's plastic tip (the 'aglet') that stops it from fraying; a TELOMERE is like the protective tip of a chromosome.
Conceptual Metaphor
A biological fuse or clock; a protective buffer that wears down with time.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a telomere?